For Prelims: Cruise Terminal, Coastal Shipping, Inland Waterways, Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Project Cost, Location, Nodal Body, Target
For Mains: Coastal shipping, modal shift, Sagarmala, Maritime Amrit Kaal, Blue Economy, Viksit Bharat 2047
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- An international cruise terminal will be built at Puri, Odisha at a cost of ₹1,500 crore.
- The Paradip Port Authority (PPA) will develop the terminal with the Odisha government.
- The government aims to double coastal waterways freight share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
- The target is to attract 10 lakh (1 million) cruise tourists by 2029.
- The Coastal Freight Transport Promotion Scheme and Cruise India Mission support these goals.
Why in the news?
An international cruise terminal will be built in Puri, Odisha at an estimated cost of ₹1,500 crore by the Paradip Port Authority with the state government. The government aims to double the share of coastal and inland waterways in freight transport from 6% to 12% by 2047 and reach 1 million cruise tourists by 2029.
Summary
- An international cruise terminal costing ₹1,500 crore is planned at Puri, Odisha, developed by Paradip Port Authority with the Odisha government.
- The government targets doubling the share of coastal and inland waterways in freight transport from 6% to 12% by 2047.
- Target of 1 million cruise tourists by 2029; supported by Coastal Freight Transport Promotion Scheme and Cruise India Mission.
Highlights
₹1,500 Cr Cruise Terminal at Puri
Paradip Port Authority and Odisha government will develop an international cruise terminal in Puri.
Freight Share Target Doubled by 2047
Government aims to increase coastal and inland waterways' share in freight transport from 6% to 12%.
1 Million Cruise Tourists by 2029
Target to attract 10 lakh cruise tourists; supported by Coastal Freight Transport Promotion Scheme and Cruise India Mission.
Key Analysis and Impact
The Puri cruise terminal will boost tourism in Odisha, leveraging Puri's status as a major religious and beach destination. The target to double coastal freight share to 12% by 2047 signals a long-term shift towards multimodal logistics. The Coastal Freight Transport Promotion Scheme aims to incentivise cargo movement via sea, reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. The Cruise India Mission targets 1 million cruise passengers by 2029, positioning India as a competitive cruise destination in South Asia.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Cruise Terminal
- A dedicated port facility designed to handle cruise ships, including passenger embarkation/disembarkation, customs, immigration, and tourist amenities.
- Coastal Shipping
- The transport of cargo and passengers by sea between ports within a single country, also called cabotage.
- Inland Waterways
- Navigable rivers, canals, lakes, and backwaters used for transport. In India, the National Waterways Act, 2016 declared 111 inland waterways as National Waterways.
- Paradip Port Authority (PPA)
- One of the 12 major ports under the central government, located in Odisha. It handles bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, and crude oil.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: ₹1,500 crore cost for Puri international cruise terminal
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Paradip Port Authority (PPA)
- Data: Target to double coastal/inland waterways freight share from 6% to 12% by 2047
- Data: Target of 10 lakh (1 million) cruise tourists by 2029
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may confuse the Puri terminal with the proposed cruise terminal at Mumbai or Chennai. They may also swap the target year (2047 vs 2030) or the freight share percentage (12% vs 20%). The Cruise India Mission could be confused with the Sagarmala project or the Maritime India Vision.
Write these in mains answers
- Coastal shipping, modal shift, Sagarmala, Maritime Amrit Kaal, Blue Economy, Viksit Bharat 2047
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The government plans to build a big port for cruise ships at Puri in Odisha, costing ₹1,500 crore. It also wants to move more goods by sea instead of by road, doubling the share from 6% to 12% by 2047, because sea transport is cleaner for the environment. It also aims to get 10 lakh tourists travelling by cruise ship by 2029.
- An international cruise terminal will be built at Puri, Odisha at a cost of ₹1,500 crore.
- The Paradip Port Authority (PPA) will develop the terminal with the Odisha government.
- The government aims to double coastal waterways freight share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
- The target is to attract 10 lakh (1 million) cruise tourists by 2029.
- The Coastal Freight Transport Promotion Scheme and Cruise India Mission support these goals.
- Geography: Transport and communication
- Economy: Infrastructure
Related concepts: Cruise Terminal, Coastal Shipping, Inland Waterways, Paradip Port Authority (PPA)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which port authority will develop the international cruise terminal at Puri, Odisha?
Explanation: The Paradip Port Authority (PPA), in collaboration with the Odisha government, will develop the cruise terminal. Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata are other major ports but are not involved in this project.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the government's plans for coastal and cruise transport:
- 1.The government aims to double the share of coastal and inland waterways in freight transport from 6% to 12% by 2047.
- 2.The target is to attract 1 crore cruise tourists by 2029.
- 3.The Coastal Freight Transport Promotion Scheme and Cruise India Mission are being implemented to achieve these targets.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the target is to double the share from 6% to 12% by 2047. Statement 2 is incorrect: the target is 10 lakh (1 million), not 1 crore (10 million). Statement 3 is correct: both schemes are mentioned as being worked on.
- Q3Easy
What is the estimated cost of the proposed international cruise terminal at Puri, Odisha?
Explanation: The announcement specified ₹1,500 crore as the estimated cost. ₹1,000 crore, ₹2,000 crore, and ₹2,500 crore are plausible but incorrect figures.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the government's target to double the share of coastal and inland waterways in freight transport by 2047?
Explanation: The news describes coastal shipping as a 'relatively clean and environment-friendly transport mode' for long-distance freight. Revenue, shipbuilding, and FDI are possible side benefits, but the core stated objective is a cleaner, more efficient modal shift from road to water.
Frequently asked questions
1. Where will the new international cruise terminal be built?
The international cruise terminal will be built at Puri, Odisha.
2. How much will the Puri cruise terminal cost?
The estimated cost of the project is ₹1,500 crore.
3. Which agency will develop the Puri cruise terminal?
The Paradip Port Authority (PPA) will develop it in collaboration with the Odisha government.
4. What is the government's target for coastal freight share by 2047?
The government aims to double the share of coastal and inland waterways in freight transport from 6% to 12% by 2047.
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- Original3 November 2026 · Read story
