Paradip Port gets 18.5-metre deep-draft capability; ₹427.80-crore projects opened
Union Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port, Odisha, on 21 August 2026, marking its 18.5-metre deep-draft capability.
Summary
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated seven infrastructure projects worth ₹427.80 crore at Paradip Port Authority in Odisha on 21 August 2026, marking the port's 18.5-metre deep-draft capability. The largest project, capital dredging worth ₹352 crore, lets Paradip handle fully laden Capesize vessels. Sonowal also witnessed concession agreements worth ₹1,580.36 crore for three mechanisation projects aimed at 100% berth mechanisation by 2030, and planted the port's one-millionth tree.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 21 Aug 2026, Paradip, Odisha
- Projects opened
- Seven, worth ₹427.80 crore
- Deep draft
- 18.5 metres; capital dredging ₹352 crore
- Benefit
- Fully laden Capesize vessels
- Concessions
- ₹1,580.36 crore; 100% berth mechanisation by 2030
- Green milestone
- One-millionth tree
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What deep-draft capability did Paradip Port mark in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 18.5 metres
The projects inaugurated on 21 August 2026 marked Paradip's 18.5-metre deep-draft capability.
The ₹1,580.36-crore concession agreements signed at Paradip Port in August 2026 aim at:
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Correct answer: D — 100% berth mechanisation by 2030
The three mechanisation projects under these agreements aim at 100% berth mechanisation by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the Paradip Port projects of August 2026: 1. Capital dredging worth ₹352 crore enables the port to handle fully laden Capesize vessels. 2. The projects inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal were worth ₹1,580.36 crore. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The inaugurated projects were worth ₹427.80 crore; ₹1,580.36 crore was the value of the concession agreements.