The Odisha government has announced plans to develop two additional seaports at Inchuri in Balasore district and Bahuda in Ganjam district, which will complement its existing ports at Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur. This expansion aims to enhance the state’s maritime infrastructure and cargo handling capacity.

Industries Secretary Hemant Sharma confirmed that Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has approved the projects, with several investors expressing interest. An agreement with PSA Singapore, a global leader in port operations, is expected in January for technical assistance. The ports will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model through a transparent selection process. Additionally, a prominent shipbuilding and repair company has proposed establishing a shipyard at one of the new ports. The government is also focusing on industrial expansion around Gopalpur and Dhamra ports.

An integrated steel plant near Dhamra port, with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore by Orissa Metallurgical Industry, has already been approved. Other significant investments, particularly in chemical and petrochemical sectors near Gopalpur port, will be announced at the Utkarsh Odisha Investors Summit on 28-29 January, 2025. By 2030, Odisha aims to increase its port cargo handling capacity from 290 million tonne per annum (MTPA) to over 500 MTPA, with exports projected to grow 20 percent annually.

Although the state has identified 14 non-major port locations, Balasore and Ganjam were prioritised due to their immediate investment potential.