Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): The Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday informed that the Sagarmala project to help state to become India’s gateway to South East Asian countries.
The Chief Minister chaired the first meeting the of State Sagarmala Committee and directed departments concerned to prioritise projects with a focus on the development of coastal community.
We will also be prioritising the coastal community development as an integrated part of this initiative,” he added.
He further said the State Maritime Board is expected to be fully functional in the coming months and hopefully, the Board will act as a catalyst for overall development of the maritime sector in the state.
Commerce & Transport Minister Padmanav Behera said the Sagarmala programme aims at port-led development and improvement of waterways. For the success of the programme, there is need for cooperation of the Centre, state and local authorities, he added.
The Sagarmala Project aims at port modernisation, port connectivity, port led industrialisation and coastal community development. The projects under this programme will get 50% funding from the Centre. The state government has submitted 14 projects of various departments.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra; Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport department Madhusudan Padhi and Special secretary, Commerce & Transport Manoj Mishra were present.
