The Odisha Government, in partnership with the Paradip Port Authority, has announced plans to establish two major maritime projects — a port at Bahuda in Ganjam district and a shipbuilding and repair yard at the Mahanadi river mouth — with a combined investment of Rs 46.2 billion, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Wednesday. The proposed Bahuda Port will involve an investment of Rs 21.5 billion, while the shipbuilding and repair yard will require Rs 24.7 billion. Additionally, the state government will set up a world-class cruise terminal in Puri to strengthen Odisha’s position as a major hub for trade, tourism, and industrial growth. Speaking at the Boita Bandana Utsav in Paradip, the Chief Minister highlighted that the Paradip Port has become the gateway to Odisha’s progress and a key driver of its economy. He noted that the port’s cargo handling capacity has more than doubled, increasing from 71 million tonnes in 2015 to 150 million tonnes in 2025. Majhi described Boita Bandana and Bali Jatra as more than cultural festivals, calling them living symbols of Odisha’s rich maritime legacy and the indomitable spirit of the ancient Sadhabas, the seafarers of Kalinga who once sailed to Southeast Asia. Under the Maritime India Vision 2030, Paradip Port aims to handle 300 million tonnes annually, and by Viksit Bharat 2047, its capacity is projected to reach 500 million tonnes, transforming it into a Mega Port. In alignment with the Government of India’s Sagarmala, Gati Shakti, and National Logistics Policy, the state is actively building a port-led economy. The government is also developing Coastal Economic Zones across districts to promote regional trade and investment. Industries, Skill Development, and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the state is prioritising industrial growth, infrastructure, employment generation, and skill development linked to port-based economic activity. Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai added that Paradip is poised to become a centre of industrial, educational, and transport infrastructure, transforming the economic landscape of both Jagatsinghpur district and the entire state.