On Offing: Sagarmala Programme in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Sep 9: In another step forward towards development of ports and port based maritime & manufacturing zones, Sagarmala Programme has been envisioned to be implemented soon Odisha in collaboration between Central and State Govt. A National Level Meet to this effect has been inaugurated by Chief Secretary Sri Gokul Chandra Pati in the premises of Hotel Swosti Premium today.
In his address Sri Pati said that port in an integral part of the logistic chain for industrial and economic development in the State. All the major & minor ports, railways, inland waterways, mining and industrial establishments must operate in synergy to keep up the higher economic growth. Sri Pati envisioned an industrial corridor from Paradeep to Kalinganagar of Odisha.
Joining the meet Dr Alok Srivastava, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Shipping said that the main objectives of Sagaramala Programme are to improve operational efficiency of the ports, putting in place multi-modal logistic solutions for cost effective movement of cargo, harvesting inland and costal shipping potentials, developing port based industrial activities and improving living standards of the people living in costal zones.
Presentations made in the meet show that India has 7,500 km coastline, 12 major ports and 200 non-major ports. At present, 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% of trade by value are being carried through maritime transport in which Odisha has a significant share. The programmes envisage developing 3 to 4 mega ports in the State with one world class transshipment port. Development of maritime and manufacturing clusters around the ports in Odisha is also envisioned in it.
The Development Commissioner Sri U.N. Behera, Joint Secretary Ministry of Shipping Sri R.K. Agrawal, Principal Secretary Energy Sri S.C. Mohapatra, Secretary Department of Commerce & Transport Sri Sanjaya Rastogi along with other experts and senior officers from Govt of India addressed the meet. Sri M.T. Krishnababu, Chairman of Paradeep Port Trust presented the welcome address.
The meet was organized in two sessions. The topics relating to role of Sagarmala Development Company, identification of projects to be taken up under Sagaramala Programme, role of stake holders in preparation of national Perspective Plan were deliberated in these sessions.