JSPL expects to resume work on CTL project next year

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) expects to resume work on its ambitious Rs 60,000-crore Coal to Liquid (CTL) project next year after receipt of environmental clearance.

“The environment impact study (EIA) for the CTL project has been completed. We expected to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Orissa government for the project soon. Our CTL project has already been approved by the state High Level Clearance Authority last year. Work on the project is expected to begin next year after we get the environment clearance. The CTL project will have the capacity to produce 80,000 barrels of oil per day and it will be commissioned in five years. The CTL Plant will produce petrol, diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel,” Naveen Jindal, chairman and managing director, JSPL told reporters after meeting the state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik.

Jindal Synfuels Ltd, a subsidiary of JSPL has lined up an investment of Rs 60,000 crore in setting up a CTL project at Durgapur in Angul district.

The company would also set up a 1100 MW captive power plant (CPP). The project needs around 4,000 acres of water and 90 cusecs of water has been alloted from the Mahanadi river. This CTL project has the potential to generate employment for about 6,000 people.

The company said it would acquire land on its own for the CTL project. The state government has already come up with the draft MoU for this CTL project. The project is set to create direct and indirect employment for over 30,000 people.

Meanwhile, JSPL has commissioned the plate mill of its six million tonne per annum steel plant at Angul. “Our plate mill is the largest in the country. We have also commissioned two units of its Captive Power Plant (CPP). Besides, the beam and fabrication unit has been completed,” Jindal said.

The state government through its nodal agency for land acquisition Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa Ltd (Idco) has alloted 970.34 acres of government land and 2,819.64 acres of private plant for JSPL's integrated steel and power complex, minister for industries and steel & mines Raghunath Mohanty said in a written reply in the state assembly.

Till the end of November this year, JSPL has offered direct employment to 1,413 people which includes 132 from Angul district, 485 from outside the district and within the state and 786 people from outside Orissa. Once the plant is fully operational, it is expected to absorb 9,580 persons including 920 people in the managerial cadre, 220 technical officers, 3750 people in skilled category and 4,690 in semi-skilled and other categories. The project has also generated 12,204 indirect jobs in unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled categories.