Keonjhar: On June 26, 2025, the Keonjhar district administration last week conducted a Public Hearing on the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) regarding the acquisition of 6.60 acres of private land in Sankari village under Banspal Tehsil, for the proposed Tailing Dam project by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India).
Ms. Arunima Sahoo, Special Land Acquisition Officer (CISCO), Keonjhar presided over the meeting. Present on the occasion were Rabindra Kumar Pradhan, Additional District Magistrate (Revenue), Keonjhar along with Bikash Chandra Sahoo, Tehsildar, Banspal, Raja Ranjit Pratap Bal, Block Development Officer (BDO), Banspal, Govind Dehury, Sarpanch, Fuljhar Gram Panchayat, Ms. Sulochana Pradhan, Ward Member of Sankari village and Simanchal Panda, Team Coordinator, SIA Agency.
Representing AM/NS India, T. S. Shanbhogue, Head – Greenfield Projects and EC & FC, Shailendra Sah, Project Head – TSF, Pipeline and Grinding&Desliming, Odisha Projects, Ajit Singh, Head Pipelines, Odisha Projects and S.N. Routray, Sr. Lead – Land Acquisition, Odisha Projects were present.
During the meeting, Simanchal Panda presented key findings of the Social Impact Survey Report. He outlined both the direct and indirect impacts of the project, as well as the potential benefits to the local community. In addition to the survey presentation, attendees also got an opportunity to enquire about employment prospects, land compensation, CSR initiatives for the local community, etc. These enquiries were noted and addressed by SIA Agency and the district administration.
More than 200 people including members of the local community, NGOs, representatives of media were present in the meeting. A total of 20 persons from the community spoke on the occasion, out of which 18 persons spoke in favour and extended their support. The meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair and the community.
