<p data-path-to-node="5">In a major push to strengthen India's eastern maritime gateway and expand bulk cargo handling capacity, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has sanctioned <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="186">six projects worth ₹350 crore ($42 million)</b> under the Sagarmala Scheme for Odisha. Furthermore, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed in Parliament that an additional <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="359">52 port-linked projects valued at ₹56,000 crore ($6.7 billion)</b> have been identified for implementation across the state.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The combined 58-project portfolio is projected to add <b data-path-to-node="6" data-index-in-node="54">83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)</b> of cargo-handling capacity while generating over 27,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities across Odisha's coastal logistics belts.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Targeting 83 MTPA Capacity Surge via Paradip Hub, Rail Links, and Inland Waterways</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">The multi-agency maritime framework integrates port modernization, industrial corridors, and multimodal transport links across central and coastal Odisha:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Directly Funded Sagarmala Projects:</b> The ₹350 crore package targets coastal community development and passenger/cargo ferry connectivity. Key schemes include <b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="157">Ro-Pax jetties</b> linking Kaninali-Talchua and Balugaon-Krishnaprasad Gada, the modernization of Paradip fishing harbour, a new fishing harbour at Chandipur (Balasore), and two coastal skill development centers under the DDU-GKY framework.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">₹56,000 Crore Non-Sagarmala Pipeline:</b> Implemented by agencies including the Paradip Port Authority, Odisha Government, Indian Railways, NHAI, and CONCOR, this broader portfolio covers key infrastructure hubs at <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="211">Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga, and Subarnarelha</b>. Major ongoing initiatives include the <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="305">₹7,600 crore Smart Industrial Port City at Paradip</b> and the <b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="364">₹3,005 crore inner harbour deepening</b> project.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Rail and Road Evacuation Networks:</b> To accelerate hinterland freight evacuation, major rail and highway projects are under development, including the <b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="149">₹4,695 crore third rail line</b> between Bhadrak and Vizianagaram and the <b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="219">₹3,747 crore Duburi-Chandikhole-Paradip highway</b> expansion.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">National Waterway-5 (NW-5) Integration:</b> The Ministry confirmed that approval proceedings are underway for National Waterway-5. Once approved, the waterway will connect the mineral-rich belts of <b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="194">Talcher and Angul</b> with the Kalinganagar industrial cluster and the deep-water ports of Paradip and Dhamra within five years.</p></li></ul>