Bhubaneswar, Oct 27 (NationPress) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday emphasized Odisha’s dedication to creating a robust port-led and port-based economy, with the objective of turning the state’s ports into vital engines for trade, industry, and employment opportunities.

Addressing the India Maritime Week 2025, which is taking place in Mumbai from October 27 to 31, CM Majhi stated: "Odisha is devoted to establishing a Strong Port-Led and Port-Based Economy, and will evolve our ports into engines of trade, industry, and employment -- propelling India’s growth trajectory for the next 25 years."

During the inaugural session of IMW 2025, CM Majhi was joined by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who attended as the Chief Guest.

At the event, CM Majhi engaged with prominent industry leaders from the port and blue economy fields, encouraging them to explore investment prospects and capitalize on Odisha's rapidly advancing maritime and coastal ecosystem.

In the special Odisha session, CM Majhi underscored the state's strategic role as India's emerging maritime hub on the eastern coast.

He reaffirmed Odisha's ambition to develop a modern, sustainable, and globally competitive maritime ecosystem, backed by policy stability, infrastructure upgrades, and private sector involvement.

The Chief Minister articulated that Odisha’s maritime capabilities are ushering in a new phase of industrial and economic prosperity. “With Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur, and forthcoming ports at Astaranga, Jatadhari Muhan, Subarnarekha, and Bahuda, we are augmenting our total port handling capacity to 500 million tonnes annually, supported by three major ship anchor points,” stated Majhi.

"The Bahuda Port, with an investment of Rs 21,500 crore, and Rs 24,700 crore dedicated to the Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster, along with the Puri Cruise Terminal, will revolutionize Odisha’s coastal economy and enhance global trade connections. With stable governance, skilled workforce, and investor-friendly reforms, Odisha is emerging as a significant maritime hub in Eastern India. I extend a warm invitation to investors to join this transformative journey," the Chief Minister added.

CM Majhi outlined pivotal initiatives, including enhancing port capacity to 500 million tonnes per annum by 2047, developing 14 non-major ports, and implementing two transformative projects -- the Bahuda Port and the Shipbuilding Cluster at Mahanadi Mouth.

He accentuated that Odisha’s maritime blueprint transcends trade and logistics, encompassing tourism, cruise development, and blue economy opportunities along the Bay of Bengal coast.

Following the inaugural session, a special Odisha session took place under CM Majhi's leadership, alongside a government delegation from Odisha.

The session, titled "Port-led Development of Odisha: A Perspective Plan for 2024," delved deeply into the investment potential within Odisha’s port-led industrial infrastructure.

The state government signed nine MoUs valued at Rs 50,000 crore with various agencies for the establishment of an all-weather Satellite Major Port at Bahuda Muhana in Ganjam, an International Cruise Terminal at Puri worth Rs 500 crore, a National Mega Ship Building Cluster worth Rs 22,700 crore, a Maritime Museum, and several other projects.