Odisha clears three cement projects worth Rs 1,213 cr

MCL's 1600 Mw pit-head power plant referred to HLCA

The State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) today approved three new cement grinding units with investment totaling to Rs 1213.55 crore.

Upon starting of operations, these three cement plants would generate a combined employment for around 650 people.

Emami Cement has got the nod for establishment of 1.5 million tonne per annum (mtpa) cement grinding unit at Begunia in Khurda district at a cost of Rs 255 crore.

Similarly, Rajasthan-based Shree Cement, known for 'Bangur' and 'Shree Ultra' cement brands, has proposed to establish a three mtpa cement grinding mill at Odapada in Dhenkanal district at an investment of Rs 452.55 crore.The cement maker has opted for the site as it can use fly ash generated from power plants concentrated in Dhenkanal district. The proposed mill would require about 60 acres of land.

The other proposal for a cement griding facility has come from My Home Industries Ltd known for its 'Mahashakti' brand of cement. The proponent has lined up an investment of Rs 360 crore for setting up of 1.5 mtpa cement unit at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district.

A proposal by Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) to set up 1600 Mw (2x800) pit head power plant at Basundhara in Sundaragarh district has been referred to the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), the highest body to clear investment proposals in the state.

The project estimated to cost Rs 8000 crore would be implemented by Mahanadi Basin Power Ltd, a fully owned MCL subsidiary.

The coal company aims to use coal from Basundhara area, having reserve of 6.8 billion tonnes. The annual coal extraction from this mine is set to touch 40 million tonne per annum in the coming years.

The SLSWCA deferred two proposals- one by ITC Ltd and the other of Purvi Bharat Paper & Power Ltd, citing unavailability of suitable land for these projects.

Kolkata-based business conglomerate ITC Ltd has evinced interest to set up an integrated food products manufacturing and logistics facility at Khurda food park with an investment of Rs 401.88 crore.

Purvi Bharat Paper & Power Ltd is keen to establish a logistics park with rooftop solar power plant of 1.5 Mw capacity at Indrani Patna near Choudwar in Cuttack district at an investment of Rs 182.28 crore.