Paradip Port Gets ₹2,008 Cr Boost for Modernization
By Business Desk
Paradip Port receives a ₹2,008 crore investment for modernization, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and enhanced cargo handling efficiency. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced the plan.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has announced a substantial investment exceeding ₹2,000 crore for the Paradip port. This strategic push aims to significantly accelerate cargo movement and modernize the port’s critical infrastructure on India’s eastern coast.
Comprehensive Investment and Key Figures
The extensive investment package encompasses the inauguration of seven distinct projects and the formal signing of concession agreements for three crucial mechanisation initiatives. These concerted efforts are designed to bolster the port’s overall operational capabilities and efficiency.
A significant portion of this financial commitment includes ₹352 crore specifically allocated for capital dredging operations. Additionally, the mechanisation projects alone account for approximately ₹1,580.36 crore of the total investment.
Upgrading Operations: Inaugurated Projects
Several key projects have been inaugurated to directly enhance the port’s functionality, connectivity, and safety protocols. These initiatives address critical areas ranging from improved vessel access to advanced traffic management systems.
One pivotal project involves capital dredging to achieve an 18.5-meter deep-draft, a development that will enable Capesize vessels to enter the inner harbour. This capability allows the port to handle considerably larger cargo volumes more efficiently.
Another inaugurated project is a ₹24.89 crore three-lane Atharbanki bridge, specifically constructed to alleviate existing traffic congestion around the port area. A ₹15.5 crore Advanced Vessel Traffic Management and Information System, developed in collaboration with IIT Madras, also commenced operations, utilizing AI and radar for precise vessel tracking.
Strategic Mechanisation and Future Goals
The three mechanisation initiatives, valued at approximately ₹1,580.36 crore, represent a central component of Paradip port’s long-term strategic vision. These agreements are poised to drive substantial improvements in operational methodologies.
A primary objective of these initiatives is to achieve 100 percent berth mechanisation across the port by the year 2030. This ambitious target is set to significantly enhance cargo handling efficiency and bolster overall safety standards within the port environment.
Furthermore, these mechanisation efforts are projected to reduce vessel turnaround times, thereby streamlining logistics operations. This will also contribute to a reduction in overall logistics costs for users of the port.
Paradip Port’s Economic Significance
Strategically positioned on India’s eastern coast, Paradip port serves as a vital nexus for various critical supply chains. It plays an indispensable role in supporting mineral, energy, and industrial sectors throughout the region.
The port demonstrated robust performance by recording an all-time high annual traffic of 156.45 million tonnes in FY26. This impressive volume solidified its position as the second-largest major port in India by cargo volume.
This substantial investment aligns with India’s broader national maritime modernization efforts. The overarching goal is to significantly boost the nation’s trade capabilities and enhance its global competitiveness within the shipping industry.