Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik dedicates first phase of Tata steel plant to nation

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 industrialisation 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.

Tata Steel, which had inked an MoU with the government to set up six million tonnes steel plant at Kalinga Nagar in November, 2004, faced stiff agitation by the land owners.

The opposition led to a police firing in January 2006, claiming 14 lives. This ensured that the work could not be taken up on the project till 2010.

Besides taking some Congress leaders and members of Bisthapan Virodhi Janmanch activities into preventive custody, the administration beefed up security arrangements in and around Kalinganagar area as this was the first visit of the chief minister after the 2006 firing incident.

Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry in his address said: "Kalinga Nagar Steel Plant will be yet another journey of growth and development for Odisha. The plant is our key commitment towards the nation building and an effort to ensure sustainable growth."

Mistry also announced that Tata Group would remain committed to the growth of Odisha as the state is poised to emerge as the "industrial ecosystem" of the country.

"Kalinga Nagar Steel Plant will achieve the global bench mark in steel making," Mistry added.

Tata Steel MD T V Narendran claimed that the Kalinga Nagar Steel Plant is a symbol of fulfilling Tata Steel's commitment made to its share holders and society at large.

Kalinga Nagar steel plant is the second biggest plant of the company and is the largest Greenfield steel project in the country.

With the commissioning of the first phase, Tata Steel's steel making capacity will go up to 13 mtpa in the country.