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.

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..