Odisha Gets Green Light for Six Sagarmala Projects Valued at ₹350 Crore

In a written reply to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced that six fresh Sagarmala‑scheme projects have been sanctioned for Odisha. The total outlay, according to the minister, stands at about ₹350 crore – a figure that may sound modest next to the colossal numbers usually associated with the national maritime push, but it is a concrete step for the state’s coastal economy.

The six projects are meant to tighten the link between ports and inland logistics. They will involve the Paradip Port Authority, various Odisha state departments, Indian Railways, the National Highways Authority of India, the Container Corporation of India and the Ministry of Rural Development. In short, a whole cocktail of agencies will be pulling together to make the plans happen.

When Sonowal broke down the numbers, he said the new works are expected to add roughly 83 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of handling capacity across the state’s ports. That’s a noticeable bump, especially for a region that has been yearning for a stronger maritime footprint.

Beyond the capacity gains, the minister highlighted the human side of the investment. He put the direct and indirect employment creation at about 2,000 jobs for the six projects, while the wider Sagarmala pipeline – 58 projects in total for Odisha – could generate more than 25,000 jobs.

Speaking of the wider pipeline, Sonowal noted that an additional 52 projects have been identified for Odisha, carrying a combined estimated investment of roughly ₹56,000 crore. Those are still in the identification stage, but the numbers signal a long‑term commitment to turning Odisha’s coastline into a vibrant trade corridor.

For reference, a Lok Sabha answer dated 31 March 2023 already recorded that Odisha had six Sagarmala projects sanctioned for a total of ₹350 crore, with ₹111 crore released so far. The latest clearance simply moves those projects from the paper‑stack to the implementation‑track.

It remains to be seen how quickly the funds will be mobilised and the works will start, but the minister’s remarks suggest a sense of urgency. “We are determined to ensure that the projects are executed on time, creating jobs and enhancing our port capabilities,” Sonowal said, adding that the state government is ready to cooperate fully.