Odisha Ports Drive Trade, Rs 16.5 Billion Investment Secured

29 Jul 2025 CW Team

Odisha’s maritime trade and logistics capabilities have significantly advanced, both in domestic and international spheres, driven by strategic policies of the Odisha Maritime Board and Commerce & Transport Department, officials said on Saturday.

Cargo handling capacity at non-major ports has reached 80 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with Dhamra Port handling 46.08 MTPA and Gopalpur Port managing 6 MTPA in FY 2024–25. This has yielded Rs 3.06 billion in revenue for the state. Meanwhile, Paradip Port Authority retained its position as India’s largest cargo-handling major port with 150.41 MTPA during the same period.

Odisha’s modernisation efforts include deeper berths and advanced port technologies, enhancing global trade integration and coastal connectivity. Improved feeder services are ensuring last-mile delivery to industrial and agricultural zones.

A concession agreement with JSW Utkal Steel Ltd for a captive jetty to support its integrated steel plant will bring Rs 2.10 billion in investment and generate employment for around 3,450 people. Separately, a revised agreement with Gopalpur Ports Ltd following a 95 per cent equity transfer to Adani Ports & SEZ will attract Rs 16.55 billion in investment and create approximately 5,000 jobs.

In support of a skilled maritime workforce, simulators have been installed at the Crew Training Institute, Chandbali, and Odisha Maritime Academy. Additionally, the Directorate of Ports & Inland Water Transport has distributed nearly 35,000 life-saving devices to boat operators with a 95 per cent subsidy to improve inland water safety.

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..