Talcher and Angul

Under the Union Budget 2026, National Waterway-5 in Odisha has been proposed to improve cargo movement by connecting mineral-rich regions of Talcher and Angul with major industrial centres and ports.
National Waterway-5 comprises specified stretches of the Brahmani river, Matai river, delta channels of the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers, and the East Coast Canal, covering about 588 km.
Talcher and Rampur are among the important coal-mining centres of Odisha, forming a key part of the waterway’s mineral hinterland.
The waterway links these regions with Kalinga Nagar, a fast-developing industrial and steel manufacturing hub, and further to Paradeep Port, a deep-water port in the Mahanadi delta, enabling efficient export-oriented logistics.
Mineral deposits of Odisha
Manganese - Odisha is one of the leading producers of manganese in India, along with Madhya Pradesh. Major manganese deposits are concentrated in the central part of the iron ore belt, particularly in Bonai, Kendujhar, Sundargarh, Gangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Bolangir.
Bauxite - Odisha is the largest producer of bauxite in India. The most important producing districts are Kalahandi and Sambalpur, while Bolangir and Koraput have emerged as rapidly growing bauxite-producing areas, supporting aluminium-based industries.
Iron Ore - Odisha holds a significant share of India’s iron ore reserves, occurring mainly in a series of hill ranges in Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, and Kendujhar districts. Important mining centres include Gurumahisani, Sulaipet, Badampahar (Mayurbhanj), Kiruburu (Kendujhar), and Bonai (Sundargarh), forming part of the eastern iron ore belt.
Coal - Odisha has major coal deposits associated with the Gondwana formations, especially in the Mahanadi valley. Important coal mining centres include Talcher and Rampur, making Odisha a key contributor to India’s non-coking coal production and thermal power generation.