Pradhan proposes Rs 900 crore 2G Ethanol Plant in Odisha

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today proposed a 2G Ethanol Plant in Bargarh district at an investment of Rs 900 crore and suggested the Odisha government to develop Paradip on the lines of Jurong island of Singapore.
Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said this while addressing the valedictory session of the 'Make In Odisha' conclave organised by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Odisha government and CII here.
"Our department is now planning to generate energy from bio-waste. As Odisha produces a huge volume of agriculture waste, BPCL will like to set up a Second Generation Ethanol plant at Odisha's Bargarh district at an investment of Rs 900 crore on pilot bias," Pradhan said, adding the plant was proposed in Odisha in accordance to the NDA government's Look East Policy.

Pradhan, however, said the primary objective of the conclave should be making arrangement for providing jobs to the youths in the state.
According to the 2011 census, Odisha already has about 1.25 crore youths in the age group of 20 years to 35 years.
"Providing employment to youths is a challenge for all of us. This conclave may help creation of more jobs for youths," Pradhan said.

The Union Oil Minister also suggested the state government to develop Paradip in line of Jurong island of Singapore where industrial clusters could come up.
He said though Odisha was a mineral rich state, it has to go a long way for utilising the minerals in a proper way in ancillary industries.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who during a visit to Paradip in February, had described Paradip as 'Bikasdip' (island of development), Pradhan said "IOCL has been investing Rs 35,000 crore for the PCPIR project. IOCL being an anchor for the PCPIR with IFFCO and PPL as partners, the state government should create a big special purpose vehicle for the implementation of the project."
Pradhan also mentioned his Ministry was making arrangements to provide cooking gas through pipeline in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Rourkela.