Odisha participated in the 4th National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) Meeting held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.
The event, graced by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, witnessed the presence of Chief Ministers, Ministers, and senior officials from across India to deliberate on the future of the maritime sector.
Key highlights of the meeting included discussions on the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and Sagarmala 2.0, which emphasize port modernization, seamless connectivity, and coastal community development. Odisha presented its ongoing and proposed maritime initiatives, reflecting a robust commitment to port-led development and the blue economy.
Representing Odisha, Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, lauded the transformative progress of the Sagarmala Programme over the last decade. She proposed key projects from Odisha for inclusion in Sagarmala 2.0 and underscored the state’s focus on strengthening waterways, fostering shipbuilding capabilities, and promoting maritime research.
Odisha also showcased its efforts to preserve maritime heritage through participation in the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal and proposed the establishment of the India Maritime Centre (IMC). These initiatives, alongside the Odisha State Maritime and Waterways Master Plan, aim to position the state as a leader in maritime infrastructure and regional trade.
With a forward-looking vision, Odisha reaffirmed its dedication to catalyzing India’s blue economy aspirations under the Sagarmala Programme.
