Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday laid foundation stone of a number of projects in Balasore district including a Rs 5,000 crore new port.
Patnaik also inaugurated 33 projects in the district constructed at the cost of Rs 311.14 crore which include an road over bridge at Tamulia in Balasore town.
Assembly elections in Odisha are due along with the Lok Sabha polls.
"I am delighted to lay the foundation stone for the proposed Subarnarekha port today," Patnaik said while addressing a regional Youth Conclave of Biju Yuva Bahini here at the police line field.
The all weather commercial Subarnarekha Port is being developed jointly by Tata Steel having 51 per cent share and Chennai based Creative Port Private Ltd (CPPL) with 49 per cent share, is scheduled to be commissioned within 36 months period.
Patnaik also laid foundation stone of a number of projects which include - a bridge over river Subarnarekha at Pantei to be built at the cost Rs 189.97 crore, a road over bridge on Jaleswar and Laxmanath road at the cost Rs 40.04 crore, a fishing jetty at Balaramgudi in Chandipur at Rs 49.94 crore.
Balasore MP Rabindra Jena said "This port will create direct and indirect employments for at least 12,000 people."