Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will develop a 588- km national waterway (NW-5) connecting Kalinganagar to Talcher at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore. The project aims to provide an alternative transportation mode linking Paradip Port, which is expected to boost economic and commercial development in the region.
The announcement came during chief minister’s address at the Boita Bandana ceremony in Paradip on Kartik Purnima.
Speaking about the cultural significance of the occasion, Majhi recalled how traders from Odisha historically sailed to countries like Indonesia and beyond on Kartik Purnima day. This maritime legacy is commemorated annually as residents float paper boats in rivers and ponds. “Paradip Port is not just a maritime gateway; it’s the cornerstone of our nation’s progress,” said Majhi, emphasizing its role in fostering trade relationships and economic growth. He also revealed the Centre’s plans to invest approximately Rs 70 lakh crores in the Indian port sector by 2047 to strengthen India’s position in the global markets.
In a series of development initiatives, the chief minister inaugurated the 10-day Bali Yatra festival, launched a piped fuel gas project benefiting over 7,000 households in the port area, laid the foundation stone for a Rs 24.89-crore three-lane heavy vehicle pole spanning 500 metres, featuring a pipeline corridor and pedestrian walkways. “Bali Yatra represents our glorious maritime heritage and Odisha’s rich cultural consciousness,” Majhi said during the festival inauguration.
