Paradip Port inaugurates Rs 428 crore projects, signs Rs 1,580 crore mechanisation deals
The minister also witnessed the signing of concession agreements for three mechanisation projects worth Rs 1,580.36 crore, aimed at increasing cargo-handling capacity, improving operational efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround time.
The seven inaugurated projects cover navigation, connectivity, safety, sustainability, residential infrastructure and community development. The largest investment of Rs 352 crore will support capital dredging to enable Paradip Port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels in its inner harbour, improving economies of scale and reducing logistics costs.
A Rs 24.89 crore Atharbanki Second New Bridge has also been completed. The 500-metre, three-lane bridge includes footpaths and a dedicated pipeline corridor and is expected to ease congestion on a route used by nearly 3,000 trucks daily.
Other projects include a Rs 2.10 crore sports hostel, a Rs 12.18 crore administrative office building façade upgrade, and a Rs 20 crore piped natural gas (PNG) project for residential quarters. The first phase of the PNG project will connect 546 quarters in Madhuban and is expected to reduce household gas expenses by up to 40%.
The port has also commissioned an Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMS) at a cost of Rs 15.50 crore. Developed with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Madras, the system integrates radar, artificial intelligence, AIS, CCTV, oil-spill monitoring and 3D visualisation to monitor vessel movements up to 20 nautical miles from the port.
The one-millionth tree planted by Sonowal marked another milestone in Paradip Port's environmental initiatives. The port said plantation activities have intensified over the past four years, with nearly one lakh trees planted annually to expand green cover, support biodiversity and strengthen environmental sustainability.
As part of its plan to achieve 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, compared with the current 80%, PPA signed concession agreements for three projects with a combined investment of Rs 1,580.36 crore.
These include the 5 MTPA South Quay mechanisation project, awarded to Yogayatan Paradip SQB Terminal Pvt. Ltd. for Rs 498.69 crore under the BOT model; the 8 MTPA Multipurpose Berth mechanisation project, awarded to Kalinga Bulk Terminal Paradip Pvt. Ltd. for Rs 630.67 crore; and the 10 MTPA captive CQ-III mechanisation project, awarded to AMNS Paradip Logistics Pvt. Ltd. for an estimated Rs 451 crore.
The projects are expected to enable faster, safer and cleaner cargo handling while reducing vessel turnaround times and logistics costs.
PPA also highlighted CSR initiatives undertaken during FY 2025-26, including placement-linked skill training for 168 unemployed youth from Odisha through the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS), Visakhapatnam. The port also supported skill-development programmes for fishing communities through the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), focusing on hygienic fish handling, responsible fishing practices and sustainable fisheries.
Sonowal said the investments would strengthen Paradip Port's position as a major maritime gateway and support trade, logistics, industrial growth and employment across eastern India.
Published on:
24 August 2026
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