Centre plans to develop Coastal Economic Zone in Odisha to boost commercial activities in state

Bhubaneswar: The Centre plans to take steps to develop a Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ) by integrating Paradip and Dhamra ports in Odisha in view of the enormous potential for economic activities in the area. There is vast scope for economic development by integrating both the port areas and developing a coastal economic zone, said NITI Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant, who met Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on Saurday. [caption id=“attachment_3767693” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AP[/caption] Such a scope is not available in any other area of the country, he added. Patnaik said the state government was committed to develop the Paradip-Dhamra region as a world class economic zone and complimented NITI Aayog for initiating the move, CMO sources said. Kant, who was accompanied by senior central officials, hailed Odisha for registering significant progress in health, education and other social indicators, they said. The Sagarmala project was also discussed during the meeting. Among those present at the meeting were additional secretary to the department of industrial policy and promotion Sanjeev Gupta, the joint secretary to the shipping ministry RK Agarwal and NITI Aayog industrial advisor Anna Ray. Odisha chief secretary AP Padhi and development commissioner R Balakrishnan were also present.