The Centre is expecting to develop the proposed national waterway-5 in Odisha, connecting Talcher to Paradip Port, by June 2017.

On 30 June 2014, the Odisha government, Paradip Port Trust (PPT), and Dhamra Port Company (DPCL) signed an MoU with Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for developing this port.

The 332 km of inland waterways will be developed in two phases at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore. Phase-I of the project will comprise a stretch of 201 km between Jokadia / Pankapal (Kalinanagar) to Dhamra and Paradip Port, while Phase-II is proposed to include a stretch of 131 km connecting Talcher to Jokadia / Pankapal.

For this project, the Odisha government will provide land free of cost and all possible assistance to fast track the project. Also, it will provide IWAI land free of cost for construction of terminal facilities, navigational locks, widening of narrow canal, suitable area for dumping of dredged spoil / material and other assistance for the project.