Subhechcha Ganguly 
Shri P.L. Haranadh, the incumbent Chairman of Paradip Port Trust (PPT) is a distinguished Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Officer of the 1994 batch, hailing from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Shri Haranadh brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience accumulated over his illustrious 27-year career, 22 of which were spent in the Indian Railways and the remaining 5 in the Ministry of Shipping.
With his impressive academic credentials, including an MSc and Ph.D from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in Pusa, New Delhi, Shri Haranadh has a deep understanding of transportation, freight operations, business development, and traffic planning. This expertise has been recognized through his receipt of National Awards for Outstanding Management in 2002 and 2005 from the Ministry of Railways.
Shri Haranadh’s tenure as Deputy Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port from 2015-2020 was characterized by his innovative approach to marketing and attracting cargoes such as coal and containers through total logistics solutions. Through his leadership, the Port of Visakhapatnam grew and ascended to the 3rd position among major ports.
As the Chairman of Paradip Port Trust, Shri Haranadh has set an ambitious goal to make PPT the number one major port in the country. He has emphasized the importance of prioritizing the completion of various ongoing projects, including the highly anticipated Western Dock project, and has solicited the cooperation of all stakeholders – employees, unions, customers, port users, stevedores, steamer agents, government machinery, and others – in realizing this goal.
The ongoing expansion projects at Paradip Port, with a completion target of 2025, will see it emerge as the largest port in the country, with projects worth Rs 3,000 crore already completed and another Rs 3,000 crore underway under the Sagarmala programme of the Central government. Improving the port’s connectivity through the national master plan for multi-modal connectivity (Gati Shakti) and connecting the port to national waterway number 5 at the Brahmani River and Mahanadi will further enhance its status as a hub for cargo transportation to all industrial and mining belts in Odisha.
In the last few years, Paradip Port Trust has achieved some remarkable successes. It has successfully extended its reach to new countries in the region, particularly to countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This has enabled Paradip Port Trust to become one of the key players in the regional trade corridor, providing access to the lucrative markets of Southeast Asia.
The port has also seen a significant rise in the number of vessels calling at the port, with the number growing by more than 25% in the last five years. This increase in traffic has enabled the port to become more efficient and cost-effective, while simultaneously increasing its cargo handling capacity. Improving the port’s connectivity through the national master plan for multi-modal connectivity (Gati Shakti) and connecting it to national waterway number 5 at the Brahmani river and Mahanadi will further solidify its status as a hub for cargo transportation in Odisha.
Paradip Port Trust is a shining example of how far India’s ports have come in a short time. Its remarkable achievements in recent years are a testament to the hard work of its staff, as well as to the government’s commitment to improving its ports. With the continued efforts of all stakeholders, the port can look forward to even greater success in the years ahead.
Under the able leadership of Shri Haranadh, PPT will reach new heights in terms of cargo handling and emerge as a shining example of maritime excellence in the country.
