Bhubaneswar, June 26 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the Odisha government is focusing on enhancing maritime commerce by developing ports and related infrastructure throughout the state. On Thursday, two significant Concession Agreements were signed to bolster Odisha’s maritime capabilities: one for the expansion of Gopalpur Port and another for a new jetty at the Jatadhari river mouth in Jagatsinghpur district.
The agreement with JSW Utkal Steel Limited involves a ₹2,100 crore investment for the jetty, which will handle 52 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo and create approximately 3,450 jobs. Meanwhile, Gopalpur Ports Limited plans to invest ₹16,554 crore to modernize Gopalpur Port, increasing its cargo capacity to 50 MMT and generating nearly 5,000 jobs.
Together, these projects will attract over ₹18,654 crore in investment and create around 8,450 jobs, underscoring the government’s commitment to maritime trade. Majhi also revealed plans for new ports at Inchudi and Bahuda, alongside development initiatives for Subarnarekha and Astaranga ports, emphasizing collaboration with private firms in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to advance Odisha’s coastal economy.
