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The following is obtained from http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/prov_results_paper2_ori.html.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer.

Though there are 12 potential port locations on the coast-line, the State Government is not in a hurry to develop these ports. It would take appropriate decisions for development of the proposed ports in Public-Private-Participation mode only after preparation of the feasibility report.

… According to official sources, apart from the ongoing ports – Dhamara and Gopalpur – there are at least 12 potential port locations on the coast line. They are Bahuda Muhan in Ganjam, Baliharchandi, Astaranga, Jatadhari Muhan, Barunei Muhan, Chudamani, Incudi, Chandipur, Bahabalpur, Subarnarekha Mouth (Kirtania) and Bichitrapur.

While the decision to develop Chudamani and Astaranga ports has already been taken, land acquisition for development of the Subarnarekha port was under consideration of the Board of Revenue. Environment and other related clearances of this proposed port are in the final stage.

Of other proposed nine ports, it was decided to prepare feasibility report in each case before entering into any deal with private investors for developing them on BOOST, though a number of private promoters have evinced interest, the sources said.

The sources said that the Dhamara Port has already been completed at an estimated investment of Rs 3,239 crore and the railway line is already operational. …

On Gopalpur Port being operated by private developer Gopalpur Ports Limited, the sources said the completion of the all-weather port would be done at an estimated cost of Rs 1212.55 crore. It was decided to set up a fishing jetty at Gopalpur and to provide ID cards to 5,000 fishermen.

With the completion of Gopalpur port, as many as 4,888 direct and 1,000 indirect employments potential would be created, the sources said.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Financial Express.

New infrastructure projects in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Orissa are set to get a major push in the five years starting 2012 as various government agencies will be prioritising building of roads, rail networks, airports and sea ports in these states that are setting up mega petroleum and petrochemical investment regions.

Five massive regions meant to attract investments in the petrochemical and allied sectors are now at various stages of implementation at Dahej in Gujarat, Visakhapatnam-Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, Haldia in West Bengal, Paradeep in Orissa and Cuddalore and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu. These investment zones, each of which is not less than 250 square kilometres, are expected to attract a collective investment of R8,63,664 crore and create more than 40 lakh jobs during the 12th Five-Year Plan.

… “We will get infrastructure build for these projects using various existing schemes through appropriate prioritization,” K Jose Cyriac, department of chemicals and petrochemicals secretary, said. Government entities like the National Highways Authority of India, shipping ministry and the railways ministry would emphasise on fresh projects in these regions while allocating resources in the coming years. In the case of small connecting roads wherever required, the state governments concerned would include them in their own development plans.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

Petronet LNG Ltd, one of the fastest growing companies in the Indian energy sector has evinced interest in setting up an LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) terminal along the Orissa coast.

Dhamara, Gopalpur and Paradip ports in the state have been identified as the possible locations for the proposed LNG terminal which is set to cost Rs 4,000-5,000 crore.

“Petronet LNG is keen to set up an LNG terminal along the Orissa coast. The company is yet to zero in on any site though Dhamara, Gopalpur and Paradip have emerged as the potential locations. Petronet LNG has told us that the Orissa coast is the most suitable location for setting up the LNG terminal in which Rs 4,000-5,000 crore will be invested,” T Ramachandru, principal secretary (industries), Orissa government told Business Standard.

Petronet LNG is understood to be in talks with Paradeep Port Trust (PPT) authorities as well as promoters of Dhamara Ports Company Ltd (DPCL) and Gopalpur Ports Ltd (GPL) for the project. “We had initial discussions with the officials of Petronet LNG. They have proposed to set up an LNG terminal along the Orissa coast and we are open to the idea of setting up the terminal at Gopalpur. Petronet LNG officials have talked to PPT authorities as well as DPCL,” said Charchit Mishra, director of GPL.

… Petronet runs India’s first LNG receiving and re-gasification terminal at Dahej (Gujarat) having a capacity of 10 million tonne per annum (mtpa), equivalent to 40 mscmd (million standard cubic metres per day) of natural gas. The company is in the process of building another terminal at Kochi (Kerala) which will have a capacity of five mtpa equivalent to 20 mscmd.

Following is from the "About Us" page of Petronet.

Formed as a Joint Venture by the Government of India to import LNG and set up LNG terminals in the country, it involves India’s leading oil and natural gas industry players. Our promoters are GAIL (India) Limited (GAIL), Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

The following map gives an idea that the location picked and being considered by Petronet is not going to be a one-off thing. From the shape of India it becomes clear that many companies who will be importing "things" and distributing them across India would think of three ports: one in the West, one in the South and one in the East. In the East, since Odisha has a much longer coast line than West Bengal, there is a rush to establish ports in Odisha. These ports are going to be a big factor in the development of Odisha. Because of that Odisha is and should be zealously protecting the welfare of its existing and planned ports.