The Business Bytes
Paradip, November 15, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday emphasized the deep historical and economic significance of the state’s maritime heritage. Celebrating the state’s ancient maritime trade, Majhi marked the Boita Bandan Festival and Port Day celebrations, by flagging off a symbolic boat (boita) at the Paradip Port, underlining its pivotal role in Odisha’s continued growth as a maritime powerhouse.
Upon his arrival at the Wet Basin of the port, the Chief Minister was greeted with vibrant traditional Odia folk dances, followed by a ceremonial procession to the Homa Mandap, where he was offered symbolic Kalash (sacred water vessels). In his address to a spirited crowd, Majhi connected the ongoing celebrations with Odisha’s illustrious maritime history, pointing to the state’s ancient sailors who navigated seas to regions such as Java, Sumatra, Cambodia, and China, forging strong trade links that continue to resonate in the global economy today.
“Paradip Port is today among the leading ports in India, playing a vital role in the economic growth of Odisha. Our government is committed to enhancing mineral exports and ensuring that industrial development flourishes with a focus on sustainable and modern infrastructure,” said the Chief Minister.
Majhi also highlighted several key developments in the region, including the launch of a new ₹24.89 crore fuel gas pipeline project under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which will benefit over 7,000 households in the port’s vicinity. Additionally, he unveiled a new three-lane, 500-meter-long bridge project aimed at improving connectivity and enhancing the port’s capacity for handling heavy vehicles.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister announced a major ₹15,000 crore investment to link Paradip Port with the national waterway, a strategic move aimed at bolstering trade between Odisha and the rest of India. This is part of the larger vision laid out in the “Maritime India Vision 2030” and “Amrit Kaal 2047” plans, which foresee investments totalling nearly ₹70,000 crore to propel Odisha and India into the forefront of global maritime trade.
The Chief Minister’s remarks underscored Odisha’s potential to lead India’s industrial growth while preserving its rich maritime legacy. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Odisha’s Minister of Industries and Skill Development Sampad Chandra Swain, Member of Parliament Bibhu Prasad Tarai, and Paradip Port Chairman P. L. Haranadh, who all spoke about the growing importance of Paradip as a central hub in India’s maritime economy.
In a nod to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Majhi concluded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to ensuring every household has access to clean energy and improved living standards, signaling a bright future for the state’s industrial and maritime sectors.
