Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to boost Odisha’s maritime trade infrastructure, the state government has signed concession agreements for two major port infrastructure projects worth Rs 18,654 crore.Â
The agreements were formalized at Lok Seva Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, marking a major stride toward port-led development in the state.
About the Projects
The two projects—an expansion of the Gopalpur Port and a captive jetty at Jatadhari—are expected to generate over 8,450 direct and indirect jobs and significantly boost Odisha’s coastal economy. Leading private players Adani Ports and JSW Steel are investing in these projects, bringing both capital and technical expertise to accelerate the state’s maritime ambitions.
Gopalpur Port Expansion: The project involves an investment of Rs 16,554 crore. It aims to expand and modernize the port’s infrastructure to achieve a cargo handling capacity of 50 million metric tons (MMT). Strategically located on India’s east coast, the expanded port is expected to enhance cargo operations and strengthen Odisha’s role in international trade and upcoming industrial corridors. The project is also expected to generate around 5,000 jobs.
Captive Jetty at Jatadhari: The second major project is a Rs 2,100 crore captive jetty at the Jatadhari river mouth in Jagatsinghpur district. The jetty will support JSW’s steel and industrial operations while enabling local trade and employment. The facility will have a handling capacity of 52 MMT and is projected to create around 3,450 job opportunities.
Four Additional Ports Announced
Highlighting the long-term vision, the state government announced plans for four additional ports—Inchudi and Bahuda as new projects and Subarnarekha and Astaranga as upcoming ones. These ports will be integrated with industrial corridors and supported by enhanced road and rail connectivity to promote decentralized and inclusive regional development.
According to officials, these strategic investments are expected to increase cargo throughput, reduce logistics costs, and enhance Odisha’s global trade competitiveness.
