Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department and Chairperson of IDCO, presented Odisha’s transformative roadmap for the Blue Economy at the Global Summit on Blue Economy 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
She highlighted Odisha’s 575-kilometre coastline as a strategic advantage, stressing its potential to drive economic growth while protecting ecological balance. She said the State aims to transform its coastline into a catalyst for industrial development, coastal resilience, and community prosperity.
Central to the vision is Port-Led Urbanisation, an integrated model combining world-class urban infrastructure with modern maritime logistics. Odisha plans to establish Blue Economy Industrial Hubs near Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur ports. These hubs will focus on marine biotechnology, green shipping, and AI-enabled maritime management.
Smt. Padhee emphasised Odisha’s commitment to building a robust ecosystem that promotes digital transformation, industrial efficiency, and ease of doing business. She said the roadmap reflects Odisha’s ambition to attract global investors, entrepreneurs, and startups engaged in sustainable ocean-based enterprises.
She underscored the importance of inclusive growth, noting that expansion of the Blue Economy must align with coastal ecosystem protection and community welfare. Initiatives such as integrated coastal zone management, seaweed farming, and eco-friendly marine tourism will strengthen resilience and generate sustainable livelihoods.
Blending Odisha’s maritime heritage with innovation, she reaffirmed the State’s commitment to emerge as a leader in sustainable ocean governance and maritime-driven transformation.
