Presenting the Union Budget 2026–27, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a series of initiatives that place Odisha at the centre of India’s growth strategy.
She highlighted the state’s mineral wealth, waterways’ potential, and biodiversity as key drivers of sustainable development.
The government will operationalise 20 new national waterways over the next five years, beginning with National Waterway-5 in Odisha. This corridor will connect mineral hubs such as Talcher and Angul with industrial clusters like Kalinganagar and ports at Paradeep and Dhamra. The project aims to improve logistics efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support industrial expansion across the region.
Wildlife tourism also received a boost with the announcement of turtle trails along Odisha’s olive ridley nesting sites. These trails will be developed at globally significant rookeries such as Gahirmatha Beach and the Rushikulya River mouth. The initiative will create safe turtle-viewing experiences, protect fragile coastal ecosystems, and generate local livelihoods.
Sitharaman further confirmed that following the rare-earth permanent magnet scheme launched in 2025, the government will extend central support for dedicated rare-earth corridors in mineral-rich states, including Odisha. This move is expected to strengthen the raw material pipeline essential for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries.
Together, these measures position Odisha as a hub for green logistics, mineral-based industrial growth, and eco-tourism. The Budget underscores the state’s role in India’s broader push for sustainable development and economic resilience.
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