Odisha seeks JUSCO's expertise to develop Kalingagar hub

The state government has sought the expertise of Tata Group firm Jamshedpur Utility & Services Company (JUSCO) to strengthen the operations of Jajpur Cluster Development Ltd (JCDL).

JCDL is a joint venture between Kalinganagar Industries Association (KIA), an association of industries operating in the Kalinganagar industrial complex and the state’s nodal agency for land acquisition and industrial infrastructure development, Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (Idco). While KIA holds 51 per cent equity in JCDL, the balance 49 per cent stake is of Idco.

With Kalinganagar touted as the steel hub likely to witness enhanced industrial activity in the near future, it is imperative for JUSCO to play a major role in the overall development and management of the industrial area.

“You had deputed a team led by Ashish Mathur, chief executive officer (CEO), JUSCO for discussions regarding putting in place a JSUCO like mechanism in Jajpur through JCDL. I would therefore request you to consider deputing a team of 3-4 professionals from JUSCO to JCDL for a period of two years to strengthen and streamline the operations of JCDL,” Idco’s chairman cum managing director Vishal Dev said in a letter to T V Narendran, managing director of Tata Steel.

JUSCO is also likely to foray into Odisha to implement three urban infrastructure projects in the pilgrimage town of Puri- renovation of waste water treatment plant at Banki Muhan, installation of an effluent treatment plant at Pejanala and municipal solid waste treatment project at Grand Road, Puri.

JUSCO’s entry into the urban infrastructure realm in Puri is set to give a facelift to the holy town thronged by tourists. Management of solid waste and effluents is a major challenge for Puri.

The core competency of JUSCO, a comprehensive urban infrastructure services provider, is creation and subsequent operation and maintenance of urban infrastructure and services. One of its areas of business is integrated township management that aims at providing civic and municipal services in an integrated manner in a full-fledged municipal area.