The upcoming port at Dhamra, is situated between Haldia (West Bengal) and Paradip (Odisha) and it is proposed to be the deepest port of India with a draught of 18 meters. It is being developed by Tata Steel in association with L&T through the The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL). When completed, the Dhamra Port will be capable of handling more than 83 million MT per annum of dry bulk, liquid bulk, break bulk and containerised cargo. It will provide world-class port services not only to Odisha but neighbouring states such as Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh etc. as well.
Dhamra Port has the potential to become a hub port for both dry bulk and containerised cargo. The ideal location of the Port, in close proximity to the mineral reserves of Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal, is expected to result in significant advantages for industries in steel, power and mining sectors. The capacity is supposed to exceed 80 million tonnes. The first phase will include 2 dry bulk berths and one clean cargo berth to handle 21 million tonnes, which can be enhanced to handle above 80 million tonnes in its final phase. The investment in its first phase is expected to exceed Rs. 2460 Crores. More than 1000 direct and many times more indirect employment will be generated from the project.
Dhamra Port welcomes the first cargo ship
On 18th September 2010 the Dhamra Port commenced its trial operation after receiving the first cargo ship, carrying 45,000 tonnes of coal, for the Tata Steel plant at Jamshedpur. It was under the command of Capt. Liu Jianhua of China and started from Gladstone, Australia on 1st September 2010. The trial operation also included berthing and unloading of the cargo ship. The formal inauguration of the port with a 62-kilometer rail link from Dhamra to Bhadrak would also happen in the near future.
Social Initiatives at Dhamra
The Dhamra Port project is well poised to become one of the most significant milestones in the history of development for the people of Odisha. In 2009, Gahirmatha, Kendrapara areas were selected for CSR activities as they were under the influential area of Dhamra Port and also the nesting site for the Olive-Ridley Turtles.
The activities carried out by TSRDS, Gahirmatha Area encompass the Social, Economic, Environmental and Cultural dimensions of sustainability.
Healthcare
Regular medical camps in twelve coastal villages have created a good healthy and hygienic environment in the intervention areas. In each of these camps more than 100 patients have been treated and are provided with free medicines and counselling. Considering the need of the area, TSRDS is going to start a permanent health clinic in a coastal village of the Rajnagar Block. This is expected to take care of about 2000 fishermen. Apart from these awareness camps, specialized medical services will be provided on a regular basis.
Employment Regeneration
Three Tourist Boats have been constructed to provide employment to the people below the poverty line for whom boat making has been the ancestral occupation. Through this activity livelihood opportunity has been provided to nine families and this is also a means of reviving tourism in the island of Hookitola. Resource mapping of Kendrapara and Bhadrak District was also conducted. A Computer Centre in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation at Kharinasi has been started in order to tap the potential in the unemployed youth and provide them basic computer training. Five girls from Gahirmatha have been selected to be trained as Community Health Providers at Jamshedpur. Twelve Primary Schools have been identified to give academic support to 480 students through 24 teachers.
The Dhamra Port project is well poised to become one of the most significant milestones in the history of development for the people of Odisha. In 2009, Gahirmatha, Kendrapara areas were selected for CSR activities as they were under the influential area of Dhamra Port and also the nesting site for the Olive-Ridley Turtles. 
Regular medical camps in twelve coastal villages have created a good healthy and hygienic environment in the intervention areas. In each of these camps more than 100 patients have been treated and are provided with free medicines and counselling. Considering the need of the area, TSRDS is going to start a permanent health clinic in a coastal village of the Rajnagar Block. This is expected to take care of about 2000 fishermen. Apart from these awareness camps, specialized medical services will be provided on a regular basis. 