Transportation forms an integral part of mandated civic amenities and plays a key role in the socio-economic development of any society. It is through a network of various transportation systems that the fragmented markets are integrated, consuming hinterlands are linked to production centres, administrative, commercial, cultural & religious centres are connected and made accessible for the general populace. The Transport Department of Govt. of Orissa, plans, co-ordinates and monitors all activities not only relating to transportation by road, also co-ordinates for all kinds inter-modal transport viz. Railways & Waterways etc.

The road length in the State was 2.37 lakh km. in 2004-05. At the end of 2004-05, total railway route length in Orissa was 2287 km. including 91 km. of narrow gauge railway. The density of railway route length per thousand sq km. area in the State is around 14.7 km. During 2004-05, about 14.61 lakh motor vehicles were on road in the State, no. of motor vehicles per thousand sq. km.was. 9383 and per lakh population it was 3804.

Out of 11 major ports in the country, Paradeep is the only major port belonging to Orissa through which mineral & metallurgical products are being exported. During 2004-05, 216.66 lakh MT of goods were exported and 84.38 lakh MT of goods imported through this port as against 186.08 lakh MT of goods exported and 67.03 lakh MT goods imported during 2003.04.

Orissa has a domestic airport at Bhubaneswar & is well connected to major Indian cities.There are 13 airstrips and 16 helipads in the State for landing of State Government aircrafts and helicopters and efforts are being made for black topping of all the air strips to make them fit for all-weather operation.