Odisha unveils roadmap to accelerate blue economy

Bhubaneswar: Odisha unveiled a roadmap to accelerate its ocean-based economy at Global Summit on Blue Economy 2026 on Saturday, with additional chief secretary, housing and urban development, and Idco chairperson Usha Padhee on Sunday outlining a strategy to position the state as a national hub for sustainable growth in the sector.

Padhee said Odisha’s 575km coastline offers a unique strategic advantage that can be converted into a powerful driver of economic expansion, coastal resilience and community prosperity. The coastline, she stressed, must evolve from being a geographical boundary into a catalyst for industrial development and maritime-led urban transformation.

At the core of the roadmap is port-led urbanisation, a development approach integrating world-class urban infrastructure with modern maritime logistics. Odisha plans to develop blue economy industrial hubs near Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur ports, envisioned as global centres for investment in sectors such as marine biotechnology, green shipping and AI-driven maritime systems.

Padhee highlighted the state’s focus on digital transformation, industrial efficiency, and enhanced ease of doing business to attract global investors and start-ups in sustainable marine enterprises.

Emphasising inclusive growth, she said Odisha is prioritising integrated coastal zone management, seaweed farming and eco-friendly marine tourism to protect ecosystems while generating livelihoods for coastal communities.