New Delhi: Odisha took centre stage at the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) Meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, reaffirming its commitment to becoming a maritime powerhouse. The state, with its 480 km coastline, is home to Paradip Port, one of India’s busiest, handling a record 145.38 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2023-24, the highest among major Indian ports.
The meeting, chaired by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, brought together key figures including Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, as well as chief ministers and senior officials.
Key topics included maritime infrastructure development under the Sagarmala Programme, updates on state maritime committees, and discussions on the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 — India’s roadmap for maritime expansion.
Odisha’s maritime initiatives were prominently highlighted, especially its proactive approach to port-led development and growth in the blue economy.
Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of Odisha’s Department of Commerce & Transport and CEO of Odisha Maritime Board, presented the state’s key projects for the Sagarmala 2.0, which envisions enhanced port modernization, multimodal connectivity, and coastal community development.
Odisha also showcased its Odisha State Maritime and Waterways Master Plan (OSMWMP) and highlighted its efforts in preserving the state’s maritime heritage through its pavilion at the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat. The proposed India Maritime Centre (IMC) was another focal point, envisioned as a hub for research, training, and capacity building.
With a strong focus on sustainable economic growth, Odisha continues to push forward its vision to lead India’s maritime infrastructure development, boosting regional trade, and strengthening the nation’s blue economy under the Sagarmala Programme.
