Bhubaneswar: With Paradip emerging as a major industrial hub, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday informed that an airport will set up in the port town.
Speaking to the media, after a meeting with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Pradhan said that there is need to develop the region and it would remain incomplete without an airport.
Besides, he said that they had discussions on construction of a 400-bedded hospital at Paradip, expansion and modernisation of Paradip port as well.
"Paradip is important from international trade point of view. We aim to turn the town into a 'Smart City'," Pradhan said adding, "Water from the Mahanadi River is being used by the industries in the region. So, we have decided to reduce the dependence and promote utilization of sea water through desalination process."
The Union Minister said that a total of Rs 92,000 crore will be earmarked for all the infrastructure development in Paradip.
Later, Pradhan tweeted, "Paradip is one of the major ports in Odisha. Discussed timely completion of several ongoing projects which will harness the full potential of the port. Stressed on seamless integration of the port with the hinterlands through railways, road networks & inland waterways. Augmenting maritime infra in Paradip will help build a futuristic infrastructure in Odisha leading to the holistic development of the State."
He further tweeted, "Increased economic activities in Paradip & neighbouring areas through port linked projects will lead to creation of more than 15-20 thousand direct employment opportunities in the region & lakhs of indirect jobs."
Besides, Pradhan retweeted tweets of Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal and the Ministry of Shipping related to the meeting.