Paradip Port has reported a record cargo handling of 150.41 million (mn) tonnes in the 2024–25 fiscal year, establishing it as India’s top major port. The Paradip Port Authority said the performance set a new national benchmark for cargo throughput and operational scale. With a rated capacity of 289 million tonnes per annum, the port combines industry-leading productivity with competitive cost structures and the lowest vessel and cargo charges among major ports. The authority reported a provisional net surplus of Rs 1,860 crore, equivalent to Rs 18.6 billion (bn), underscoring strong financial health. The State Chief Secretary, Anu Garg, visited the port to review operations and long-term expansion plans and outlined Odisha’s economic roadmap targeting USD 500 billion by 2036 and USD 1.5 trillion (tn) by 2047, calling for double-digit growth driven by exports, shipbuilding and port-led development. She highlighted the strategic advantage of Odisha’s coastline and promoted the Paradip Port 2.0 vision, which envisages capacity expansion beyond 500 million tonnes per annum, deepening of the Western Dock and a dedicated green hydrogen berth. Discussions included proposals for a 150 million tonnes per annum Bahuda Port in Ganjam district and a 1.2 million gross tonnage capacity shipbuilding and ship repair cluster north of the Mahanadi in Kendrapara district. Officials said these projects, to be developed through a Special Purpose Vehicle between the Government of Odisha and the Paradip Port Authority, together with plans for a cruise terminal at Puri and integrated industrial and urban infrastructure, are expected to strengthen the State’s maritime economy and support diversification beyond mining. The Chief Secretary stressed that planned land use, law and order and inclusive public infrastructure would be key enablers, and officials noted that the projects would be supported by industrial townships, housing, tourism infrastructure and urban amenities. The State’s strong fiscal position and high capital expenditure allocation were cited as enabling factors for timely implementation and long-term sustainability.