Bhubaneswar, Jun 21: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong endorsement of Odisha as a priority state, Sampad Swain, Minister of Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to transforming Paradip into a major petrochemical hub.

Speaking on Saturday, Swain highlighted that a massive ₹1.5 lakh crore investment has already been committed by the Ministry of Petroleum, including the establishment of a dual-feed naphtha cracker plant in Paradip.

This project, initiated during Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure as Petroleum Minister, has laid the foundation for downstream industries such as plastic parks and textile hubs, creating significant employment opportunities for Odia youth.

Swain emphasized that the Paradip Polypropylene Plant, already operational, has catalyzed industrial growth in the region. The upcoming PX-PTA project will further support the development of a textile park in Bhadrak, enhancing Odisha’s position in the national manufacturing landscape.

He also noted that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in April under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for a ₹62,000 crore naphtha cracker project. This initiative is expected to generate large-scale employment and boost downstream industries.

Additionally, the foundation stone for an LNG terminal in Gopalpur has been laid, and a storage tank facility in Jajpur has been approved. These developments, Swain said, are possible due to the “double-engine government” model and the proactive efforts of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Swain concluded by assuring that the aspirations of the people of Odisha will be fulfilled through rapid industrialization and strategic investments.

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