NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri Visits Paradip Port

Paradip:

Port Wings News Network:

Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri, Hon’ble Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, on 4 October visited Paradip Port Authority (PPA) during his official visit to Odisha.

Dr. Lahiri was received at Bhubaneswar Airport by Ashoka Kumar Sahu, Financial Adviser & Chief Accounts Officer (FA & CAO), Paradip Port Authority.

He subsequently arrived by helicopter at the Gopabandhu Stadium Helipad, Paradip, where T. Venu Gopal, Deputy Chairperson, Paradip Port Authority, received him. He then proceeded to the Wet Basin, where a Guard of Honour was presented by the CISF, Unit Paradip Port.

Following the ceremonial welcome, Dr. Lahiri, accompanied by T. Venu Gopal, undertook a launch ride across the Paradip Port harbour. During the harbour tour, he witnessed the Port’s maritime operations, vessel movements and cargo-handling activities.

During the visit, senior PPA officials briefed Dr. Lahiri on the Port’s cargo-handling capabilities, modern mechanised systems, operational efficiency and overall maritime operations. The briefing highlighted Paradip Port’s continued progress in enhancing efficiency and strengthening its role in India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.

The officials also apprised Dr. Lahiri of Paradip Port’s significant operational achievements and its emergence as a leading Mega Port on India’s East Coast.

The future development roadmap of Paradip Port was also presented, covering key areas such as capacity augmentation, infrastructure expansion, logistics efficiency, multimodal connectivity and new development initiatives aimed at strengthening the Port’s long-term growth and strategic importance.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashok Kumar Lahiri said that he was privileged to visit Paradip Port and had long wished to see the Port’s operations firsthand. Expressing his appreciation for the Port’s performance and development initiatives, he said that he was “very proud” of what Paradip Port was doing, particularly its diversified berths and modern infrastructure.

He noted that around 13 ships, on average, arrive at and depart from the Port each day, and appreciated the Port’s modernisation and navigational draft of more than 16.5 metres. He further observed that Paradip Port has significant plans for expansion and modernisation and wished the Port continued success in its future endeavours.

Reflecting on the significance of the Port’s infrastructure and development, Dr. Lahiri remarked that such modern infrastructure would become enduring assets for the nation, describing them as “the modern Taj Mahals” that would remain as a legacy for the country. He expressed his happiness at having had the opportunity to visit Paradip Port and witness its operations along with his colleagues.

Sundara Madhaba Padhi, IAS, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Odisha Maritime Board, was also present during the visit.

Professor Prabhakar Sahu, Program Director, Economics & Finance and Nodal Officer, NITI Aayog, Odisha, was also present during the visit.

Paradip Port Authority remains committed to strengthening India’s maritime trade, coastal economy and logistics ecosystem, while contributing to the nation’s economic growth and the vision of Viksit Bharat.