PM Gati Shakti-guided big public bid to create world-class Infrastructure and Logistics, which finance ministerNirmala Sitharamanmentioned in the Union Budget 2022-23 on Tuesday, is likely to benefitOdishafor its strategic locations.
Launched in October 2021, PM Gati Shakti national master plan is an initiative of the Narendra Modi government to ensure coordinated planning and execution of infrastructure projects like roads, railways, Airports, Ports, mass transport, waterways and logistics. The plan, which includes infrastructure developed by state governments, aims to reduce the logistics costs of projects.
As Odisha has several mining-based industrial houses, it offers long-term potential for cargo handling by leveraging its 480km coastline. While the state, at present, has three all-weather ports at Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur, three more ports at Astaranga,Subarnarekha Mouthand a riverine port near Mahakalapada are expected to be ready in a few years. The State Government has also identified nine more potential port locations.
Odisha is also looking at a big share as the Union finance minister announced expansion of national highways by 25,000 km in 2022-23 with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore. The states strategic location connecting east with west would also ensure faster expansion of the highways.