Bhubaneswar: Odisha government achieved a major milestone in its industrialization efforts when the public hearing for Jindal Steel Works’ Rs 53,700 crore project named Utkal Steel Limited, was concluded peacefully in the Kujang block of Jagatsingpur district of Odisha on Friday. The proposed steel plant is on the same site where the Korean steel giant POSCO’s project was envisaged.
The success of this public hearing paves way for the establishment of an Integrated steel plant of 12.0 MTPA capacity, 10 MTPA Cement plant and a 900-megawatt captive power plant by the Sajjan Jindal-led group, on an area 2980 acres. An all-weather multi-cargo greenfield jetty with handling capacity of 52 MTPA is also part of the project.
This development is important for the reason that it is the same region where POSCO’s steel project had to face resistance from locals.
The villegrs welcomed the JSW project, demanding an ideal rehabilitation and resettlement package from the State govt.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed the verdict and announces that ‘people’s demands will be met’.
This peaceful public hearing is an epoch-making event as far as the public perception about industrialization in the State of Odisha is concerned. This has been a possible because of relentless persuasive efforts by the state government and the industry proponents and has set an example for other States.
This development is another feather in the cap for Odisha after it edged past Maharashtra as the most attractive destination for investments during H1 or the April-September period of FY20 by cornering 18 per cent of the virgin investments drawn by all states as per the report of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).
