Parliament Question: Upgradation of Gopalpur Port

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3406 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2026 UPGRADATION OF GOPALPUR PORT

3406. DR. PRADEEP KUMAR PANIGRAHY:

Will the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways be pleased to state: प(cid:419)न, पोत प(cid:464)रवहन और जलमाग (cid:91) म(cid:287)ं ी

(a) the total volume of cargo handled at Gopalpur Port in Ganjam, Odisha, during the last two financial years, alongwith the current utilization rate of its deep-draft berths;

(b) the status of central regulatory and infrastructure support for developing dedicated terminal facilities to export rare earth minerals and process high-volume industrial commodities from the local economic zone; and

(c) the details of active connectivity projects being pursued under the Sagarmala programme to link Gopalpur Port seamlessly with the domestic hinterland and rail corridors along with the details of the progress of Bahuda Port? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to (c). Ports other than Major Ports, also known as non-major or minor ports, are under the administrative control of the respective State Governments and their development falls within the State’s jurisdiction and responsibility. Gopalpur Port is a non-major port under the jurisdiction of the Government of Odisha. As informed by Odisha Maritime Board, Gopalpur Port in Ganjam District, Odisha handled 5.99 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of cargo during financial year 2024-25 and 4.16 MMT during financial year 2025-26. The Port has berths capable of handling Panamax and Capesize vessels with a permissible draft of up to 14.5 metres. Gopalpur Port has three multipurpose berths capable of handling a wide range of bulk, break-bulk and other cargoes, including rare earth minerals. The berth utilization varies depending upon cargo traffic and vessel calls. At present, there is no dedicated terminal facilityfor export of rare earth minerals or for handling high volume industrial commodities from the local economic zone.

In order to improve hinterland connectivity of Gopalpur Port, In-Principle approval has been accorded by the Ministry of Railways for Gopalpur Port–Rairakhol Rail Line. As regards Bahuda Port, DPIIT has communicated In-Principle approval for transfer of

6718.91 acres of land in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh for development of Bahuda Port. *****