ODISHA :- Potential - Unlimited

Odisha, the land of plentiful opportunities is one of happening state of the Country. Spread over an area of 1,55,707 sqkm has a total population of around 400 lakhs spread over 30 districts in the state. Odisha is rich in mineral resources like iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite, coal, chrome ore and its mineral reserves is nearly 17% of the total mineral reserves of the country

Till date agriculture is the mainstay of Odisha’s economy with contribution of about 26% to NSDP of the state. The production of food grains has considerably fluctuated over the years due to natural calamities. But the per capita availability of land has gone down from 0.39 hectares in 1950-51 to 0.14 hectares in 2006-07. As agriculture is the mainstay of Odisha’s economy, the state is characterized by high incidence of poverty. As per the estimates of Planning Commission, Odisha continues to be poorest among the major states of India. More than 40% population lives below the poverty line as against the country’s average of 22%. Further the poverty of Odisha is also affected by non-development of industrial and infrastructural sectors in the state. This in turn has resulted in growing of educated unemployment, which is one of the burning problems of the state.

In spite of Odisha richness in mineral resources, long coastline of 480 km, abundant water resources, the poor socio-economic status of Odisha portrays a paradoxical picture of poverty amongst plenty.

The two key reasons for the state’s poverty is due to repeated natural calamities and lacking of high quality infrastructure ( railways, road, ports) & optimal sustainable utilization of its vast mineral resources.

But the potential to become one of the richest regions of the country and in the world is very high and is a absolute reality in the near future. But all depends on us, we Odias and our attitude, how we gainfully utilize the upcoming investment opportunities

Gateway of a New Odisha

Richly endowed Odisha is now poised for a big jump with more than Rs 200,000 Crores of investment have been committed in various sectors like Industry, Infrastructure, Tourism, IT, Education and Services.

The state is taking some major initiatives to transform itself into an environmentally sustainable industrialized state. Major investments are happening in Steel, Alumina, Ports, Roadways, Water Resources, IT and Tourism.

To cater to such large scale development, the state is also gearing up its infrastructural requirements with substantial stress upon roadways, railways, waterways and ports. Since waterways is the cheapest form of transportation, it rich internal waterways and 480 km long sea coastline is playing a major role to convert Odisha into a major economy hub in the global front.

The upcoming port at Dhamra in Bhadrak district of Odisha holds the key of a new gateway to the prosperous state. It is going to be second deep draft all weather port in the state after Paradip having the capability to handle largest size ships as compared to all other ports in the country. In addition to meeting Odisha’s transportation needs it has the capability to cater the requirements of West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh. Thereby Dhamra port can termed as the jewel in the crown of a prosperous Odisha and it will provide livelihood and engagement opportunities to more than 50,000 families directly and indirectly.