Businesses eager to spend Rs 2 lakh crore in Paradip port development: Odisha CM

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced that many companies are planning to invest more than Rs 2 lakh crore to make Paradip an industrial hub. Speaking at the Kalinga Balijatra event at Biju Maidan, he highlighted the growth of port-based businesses in several coastal areas like Paradip, Dhamara, Astaranga, and Gopalpur. The state government is also aiming to fill about three lakh jobs across different sectors.

So far, 75,000 jobs have been created, and the government plans to add another 1.5 lakh jobs soon. The investment of Rs 2 crore in Paradip includes building a shipbuilding facility, a coastal highway, an eight-lane Paradip-Barbil National Highway, and a semiconductor manufacturing plant. This plant will have maritime connections linking Odisha to Puri and Singapore.

Chief Minister Majhi also talked about the significance of the Kalinga Balijatra, an international festival celebrated to honor Odisha’s rich marine heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized the event’s importance and praised its contribution to national and international culture.

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The Kalinga Balijatra is a celebration that recalls the strong ties between ancient Kalinga, now called Odisha, and Bali in Indonesia. It’s a reminder of Odisha’s long history of sea trade and cultural exchanges. The festival showcases the wealth, culture, and maritime legacy of the region, linking the past with the future and making it a symbol of Odisha’s pride.

The government’s focus on expanding port-related industries in key locations aims to boost economic growth. By improving infrastructure like highways and shipbuilding facilities, Odisha hopes to attract more investments and create thousands of new jobs. This transformation is expected to make Paradip a significant industrial center, not only for Odisha but for the entire country.

Odisha’s efforts to develop its coastal regions reflect a broader strategy to connect with international markets. The Kalinga Balijatra festival is not just a cultural event but also a symbol of Odisha’s ambitions to play a major role in global trade. With these investments, the state is looking to combine its rich heritage with modern industrial growth, ensuring a prosperous future for its people.