Why is Paradip port important to Odisha’s economy?

Paradip serves as the principal port for the state of Odisha, playing a vital role in the regional economy as a major hub for maritime trade.1

Located at the mouth of the Mahanadi River on the Bay of Bengal, Paradip functions as an all-weather, sheltered, deep-draft facility. Its primary economic significance lies in its capacity as a key departure point for the state's exports, most notably coal. The development and subsequent enlargement of the port have been essential in facilitating the transport of the state's abundant mineral resources, supporting the broader infrastructure growth that has occurred across Odisha since the mid-20th century.21