KALINGA NAGAR, Odisha: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today dedicated the first phase of Tata Steel’s 6 MTPA steel plant set up at an investment of Rs 25,000 crore to the nation amidst tight security as the project faced stiff opposition from locals since its inception.
“As the various facilities of this steel plant are progressively commissioned, I am sure it will not only provide a fillip to the industrialization of the State but also contribute to the local economy and the development of Kalinga Nagar and its nearby areas,” Patnaik said addressing a function on the occasion.
Stating that the local population will benefit from the increased opportunities for direct and indirect employment, Patnaik said Tata Steel’s Kalinga Nagar plant will help improve the quality of life of the people.
In the first phase of the project, Patnaik said more than Rs 25,000 crore has been invested and the facility will provide direct employment to about 3000 people and more than 22,000 have got indirect employment. This will bring about massive development in the economy in and around Kalinga Nagar, Patnaik said.
Tata Steel’s 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) plant is being set up in two phases of 3 million tonnes each over 2200 acre of land at Kalinga Nagar in Odisha’s Jajpur district.
“I am told that the Tata Steel is planning to expand the capacity of Kalinga Nagar plant to 16 MTPA by the year 2025 with cumulative investment of about Rs 1 lakh crore. I also understand that it proposes to invest Rs 2300 cr for scaling up the capacity of its captive Khandabanda iron ore mine. I look forward to further investment in these projects as well as the ancillary and downstream projects,” Patnaik said. –PTI
