Bhubaneswar, 15 March (H.S.): Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, and Chairperson of IDCO, Usha Padhee, presented Odisha’s comprehensive development roadmap at the Global Summit on Blue Economy 2026 held in Bhubaneswar, highlighting the State’s long-term strategy to promote sustainable maritime growth and coastal prosperity.

In her address, Padhee emphasized that Odisha’s 575-kilometre coastline offers significant potential to drive economic expansion while maintaining ecological balance. She stated that the coastline must evolve from a geographical boundary into a strategic asset supporting industrial growth, resilience, and community development.

A key component of the roadmap is port-led urbanisation, an integrated development model aimed at aligning world-class urban infrastructure with modern maritime logistics. Padhee noted that the State plans to develop Blue Economy Industrial Hubs near major ports, including Paradip Port, Dhamra Port, and Gopalpur Port. These hubs are envisioned as centers for investment and innovation in emerging sectors such as marine biotechnology, green shipping, and AI-enabled maritime management.

She further highlighted that Odisha is strengthening its digital infrastructure, improving industrial efficiency, and enhancing the ease of doing business to attract global investors, entrepreneurs, and startups engaged in sustainable ocean-based enterprises. According to her, the roadmap reflects the State’s commitment to developing future-ready infrastructure that supports economic competitiveness while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Emphasizing inclusive development, Padhee underscored that expansion of the Blue Economy must go hand in hand with coastal ecosystem protection and community welfare. She pointed to initiatives such as integrated coastal zone management, promotion of seaweed farming, and eco-friendly marine tourism as critical pillars of this balanced approach. These measures, she said, will help strengthen coastal resilience, create sustainable livelihoods, and improve civic and urban infrastructure in coastal regions.

Concluding her remarks, Padhee reaffirmed Odisha’s determination to blend its rich maritime heritage with innovation-driven growth, positioning the State as a leader in sustainable ocean governance and inclusive blue economic transformation at both national and global levels.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda