Odisha to build deep-sea port, shipbuilding cluster worth over Rs 50,000 crore: CM Majhi
Bhubaneswar, June 24
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said the state is building a deep-sea port in Ganjam and a shipbuilding cluster in Paradip with a combined investment of more than Rs 50,000 crore, as he underlined Odisha's growing role in India's maritime sector and coastal security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 14th Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (Policy) Meeting in Bhubaneswar, Majhi said the projects would strengthen the state's maritime infrastructure and boost economic growth.
"14th Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group Policy meeting was held in Bhubaneswar today, for the first time today outside New Delhi...We will certainly get a great support from the Govt in terms of Odisha's significance in the area of maritime security...Odisha's coastline is about 575 km long and since ancient times we have had trade and cultural ties with southeast Asia. Even today, Odisha holds an important place in this. To strengthen maritime infrastructure of the state, we are building a deep seaport in Ganjam with the help of Central Govt. In Paradip too, we are building a shipbuilding cluster. These are being built at an expenditure of more than Rs 50,000 Crores..." he said.
Majhi made the remarks after inaugurating the 14th Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (Policy) Meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Odisha Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania and senior officials from central and state agencies were present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said India's seas are not merely geographical boundaries but gateways to prosperity, economic growth and international collaboration.
"India's seas are not merely geographical boundaries but gateways to immense opportunities, prosperity and international collaboration," Majhi said.
He described the country's maritime assets, including seas, ports, fisheries resources and the blue economy, as valuable national assets that require protection through coordinated efforts among multiple agencies.
According to the Chief Minister, safeguarding maritime resources is vital not only for national security but also for economic development and the livelihoods of millions of people living in coastal regions.
Majhi said maritime security today extends beyond traditional law enforcement and includes the protection of critical infrastructure, maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity, disaster management and environmental conservation.
"Maritime security encompasses the protection of critical infrastructure, maritime domain awareness, cybersecurity, disaster management and environmental conservation," he said.
The Chief Minister noted that Odisha's 575-km coastline has played an important role in India's maritime history and continues to be a key driver of economic growth. Referring to the state's maritime heritage, he said Odisha's traders had established commercial and cultural links with Southeast Asia nearly 2,000 years ago.
National Maritime Security Coordinator Biswajit Dasgupta said the forum brings together multiple central and state agencies to discuss policy matters and concerns related to maritime security.
"Maritime security is a very complex subject, and therefore there are a large number of central and state government agencies that deal with maritime security. This forum is designed to get everybody together so that we can discuss policy matters and concerns related to maritime security," Dasgupta told ANI.
He said all the previous 13 meetings had been held in Delhi and described Odisha hosting the event as an important step towards expanding participation among coastal states and Union Territories.
Joint Secretary for Armed Forces, Defence Policy and Planning, Satyajit Mohanty, said the meeting reflected the spirit of cooperative federalism and the need for coordination between central and state agencies.
"We all need to come together, the state agencies and the central agencies, and ensure that the security architecture is not getting compromised by traditional and non-traditional security threats," Mohanty said.
Odisha DGP Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said representatives from all coastal states and major central agencies were participating in the conference.
"We will be discussing the coastal security apparatus that exists and what more needs to be done. I am sure that with this conference, new ideas and suggestions will emerge which will help in strengthening our coastal security," Khurania said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see Odisha hosting the maritime security meeting outside Delhi for the first time. But hope they also focus on local fishermen who depend on the coast - their livelihoods should be protected alongside national security interests.
Shipbuilding cluster in Paradip is a game-changer! We need to reduce dependence on foreign shipyards. Hope this creates thousands of jobs for local youth. Modiji's 'Make in India' vision taking shape. 🇮🇳
Interesting to see the focus on cybersecurity and disaster management as part of maritime security. Modern threats require modern solutions. The multi-agency coordination model seems promising.
50,000 crore is a massive investment! Let's hope the execution matches the ambition. Odisha has huge potential with its 575 km coastline. Need to ensure proper environmental impact assessment before proceeding with deep-sea port. Balance between development and ecology is crucial.
Proud of our CM for putting Odisha on the maritime security map! Our ancient Kalinga trading links with Southeast Asia coming full circle. This will boost not just economy but also coastal tourism. Well done! 🙌
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