Parliament Question: Hinterland connectivity to ports and port-led development in Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1274 ANSWERED ON 10.2.2026 HINTERLAND CONNECTIVITY TO PORTS AND PORT-LED DEVELOPMENT IN ODISHA 1274.SHRI SUBHASISH KHUNTIA: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has taken steps to strengthen road, rail and multi-modal hinterland connectivity to major ports in Odisha, including Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether any assessment or estimation has been made regarding the impact of such connectivity on the reduction of logistics costs, promotion of port-led industrial and economic development and generation of employment for local populations in Odisha; and (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) to (b) Government has undertaken various connectivity projects to strengthen hinterland connectivity to the ports in Odisha including Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur. These include upgradation and widening of national highways, new and additional rail lines, auto- signaling, rail over bridge, waterways connectivity and multi-modal logistics park. A list of completed, under implementationand under planning projects identified to strengthening road and rail connectivity to ports in Odisha is available at annexure. (c) to (d) The implementation of connectivity projects leads to reduction in logistics costs, promotion of port-led industrialization, economic development, generation of direct and indirect employment. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways undertakes comprehensive review and consolidation of all port road-rail connectivity projects with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and Ministry of Railways (MoR) under Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) from time to time including projects in Odisha.Annexure Ports Connectivity Projects in the State of Odisha Sl. No. Project Name Port Status Road cum flyover crossing BOT rail tracks to access 1 Paradip Completed to MCHP areas Paradip 2 Road connectivity between Duburi and Panikoili Completed Paradip 3 3rd railway line from Jakhapura to Haridaspur Completed New rail line bridge between Jajpur and Paradip 4 Completed Sukindarailway stations Paradip 5 Doubling of rail line from Rajatgarh to Barang Completed Paradip 6 New rail line from Jharsuguda to Barpalli Completed Paradip 7 New rail line from Haridaspur to Paradip Completed Paradip 8 Doubling of rail line from Titlagarh to Sambalpur Completed Paradip 9 New rail line from Angul to Sukhinda Completed Development of rail connectivity for BOT berths at Paradip 10 Completed Paradip Paradip 11 Decongesting Raipur-Visakhapatnam viaTitlagarh Completed Paradip 12 Doubling of rail line from Sambalpur to Talcher Completed Paradip 13 Doubling of Banspani-Daitari-Tomka-Jakhapura Completed 4 lane upgradation of Duburi- Chandikhole- Paradip Paradip Under 14 via NH53 implementation Paradip Under 15 3rd rail line Bhadrak - Vizanagagram Implementation Paradip Under 16 Flyover between Siju-Paradip - 6.2 Km Implementation Chord rail line between Dhanmandal and Paradip Under 17 Chandikhole Implementation 3rd and 4th rail line from Budhapank- Salegaon via Paradip Under 18 Rajatgarh Implementation Paradip Under 19 3rd rail line between Bhadrak - Nergundi Implementation 3rd & 4th rail line between Jarapaada - Budhapank Paradip Under 20 with flyover at Talcher ImplementationSl. No. Project Name Port Status Paradip Under 21 New rail line Talcher-Bimlagarh Implementation Development of NW-5 (Phase -1) Talcher to Dhamra Paradip, Under 22 and Paradip on Brahmani and Mahanadi River from Dhamra Implementation Paradip - Dhamra to Pankapal 23 Doubling of Haridaspur-Paradip rail line Paradip Under Planning Development of railway infrastructure from Amarda Under Planning 24 Subarnarekha Road station to Subarnarekha Port Development of road connectivity from Chhatrapur Under Planning 25 Gopalpur on NH-16 to Gopalpur Port 4 lane upgrade of NH 720 for Duburi-Bamnipal- Under Planning 26 Paradip Port Keonjhar corridor Road connectivity from Jamujhari on NH-16 to Under Planning 27 Dhamra Dhamra port via Basudevpur Road cum flyover serving as 2nd exit to the Paradip Under Planning 28 Paradip port Under Planning 29 Tangi to Paradip 4 lane road upgrade Paradip *****