In a pivotal move to harness its vast coastal and inland waterway potential, the Commerce and Transport Department of the Government of Odisha today hosted a High-Level Consultative Workshop on the Odisha Maritime Perspective Plan (OMPP).
This landmark session marks a crucial step toward transforming the state into a globally competitive maritime hub by 2050.
Chaired by Usha Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Commerce & Transport Department, the workshop at the 8th Floor Conference Hall, Kharavel Bhavan. It gathered senior officials and key stakeholders from diverse sectors, fostering collaborative inputs to refine the state’s long-term maritime blueprint.
Developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras—the project’s technical consultant—the OMPP (2025–2050) is meticulously aligned with national flagships like Sagarmala, PM Gati Shakti, and Maritime India Vision 2030. This synergy ensures seamless integration of Odisha’s ambitions with India’s broader maritime goals.
During the event, NTCPWC experts unveiled the draft plan’s core elements, outlining a phased, sustainable strategy to capitalise on Odisha’s 575-km coastline and expansive river network.
At its heart are six strategic pillars designed to drive holistic growth:
- Port Infrastructure Boost: Enhancing existing facilities and developing new ports to supercharge maritime trade and logistics.
- Multimodal Connectivity: Seamlessly linking ports and waterways to hinterland logistics networks.
- Livelihood Diversification: Promoting fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal tourism for resilient economic opportunities.
- Sustainability Focus: Building climate-resilient coastal assets with environmental safeguards.
- Human Capital Development: Skilling the workforce to fuel the expanding maritime economy.
- Industrial Hubs: Establishing centres for shipbuilding, repair, and port-based manufacturing.
The deliberations drew active participation from representatives of the Odisha Maritime Board, Directorate of Ports & Inland Water Transport, Tourism Department, Steel & Mines Department, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, Fisheries Department, and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Dr Purnendu Mishra from FROST also contributed sharp insights, enriching the discussions on integrated port-fisheries-waterway development and inclusive coastal strategies.
Principal Secy Padhee emphasised the workshop’s role in evidence-driven planning, calling for robust inter-departmental synergy. “The OMPP will be a living document, anchored in clear timelines and performance metrics, to propel Odisha toward its vision of maritime leadership by 2047,” she stated. “This is about more than infrastructure—it’s about sustainable prosperity for our coastal communities.”
Participants were urged to submit detailed feedback to polish the draft before its formal submission to the government. Upon approval, the OMPP will emerge as Odisha’s definitive guide for maritime and logistics expansion, cementing the state’s position as Eastern India’s premier maritime gateway.
This initiative underscores Odisha’s commitment to a blue economy that balances growth, ecology, and equity, setting the stage for a transformative era in regional trade and development.
