Odisha OKs five projects worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore

The on Tuesday approved five Investment proposals in the Metal sector worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore with an aim to double steel production in the state over the next few years. While the states existing steel-making capacity is about 30 mtpa, the high-level clearance authority led by chief ministerNaveen Patnaikapproved another 27.5 mtpa capacity. All five approved proposals are expansion of existing facilities.

The approved projects include expansion ofBhushan Power and SteelLimiteds (BPSL) plant from 5 mtpa to 15 mtpa. Around Rs 55,000 crore will be invested in the expansion project located at Rengali in Sambalpur while it is expected to generate EMPLOYMENT opportunities for over 10,000 people.

Nearly six years after dedication of the first phase of Tata Steels plant at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district, the companys proposal for its expansion from 3 mtpa to 8 mtpa got the governments nod.Tata Steelwould invest Rs 47,599 crore in the expansion project and set up several other ancillary units to generate over 4,600 jobs. The chief minister had dedicated the companys 3 mtpa plant in November 2015. The panel also approvedJindal Steeland Power Limiteds revised expansion plan of its Angul plant from 6 mtpa to 25.2 mtpa to make it the largest single location steel plant in the world.