Odisha mega projects: State approves Rs 1.51 lakh crore industrial push; over 62,000 jobs on the horizon

Odisha’s government on Monday approved eight mega projects with a combined investment of Rs 1.51 lakh crore, in a significant push for the state’s industrial growth.The projects, which are expected to generate more than 62,000 employment opportunities, were given the green light during a high-level clearance authority (HLCA) meeting chaired by CM Mohan Charan Majhi.The approved ventures span six districts: Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Khurda and Sambalpur, covering key sectors such as aluminium, chemicals, steel, textiles, and downstream metal industries.Since June last year, the Majhi-led government has held six such HLCA meetings, during which a total of 62 industrial projects have been cleared. Together, these initiatives account for investments worth Rs 5.67 lakh crore and the potential to create 2.42 lakh jobs across the state.“This progress is a clear step towards the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and the state’s vision of Samruddha Odisha by 2036. Odisha is moving confidently towards becoming a leading industrial and investment hub in India,” CM Majhi said. Odisha will be completing 100 years as a state in 2036.Here’s a breakdown of the investments planned across the eight districts:The aluminium sector will see its largest investment yet, with Vedanta Limited committing Rs 1.28 lakh crore to set up a 3 MTPA aluminium smelter and a 4900 MW captive power plant in Dhenkanal. The project alone is expected to create 30,000 jobs.In Ganjam, SRF Limited plans to invest Rs 10,000 crore in a specialty chemicals and refrigerant manufacturing unit, with an estimated employment potential of 20,000.Dhenkanal will also host a 1.26 MTPA specialty steel processing unit by Jindal India Steel Tech Limited, which is investing Rs 3,600 crore and will generate 2,000 jobs.Shyam Steel Manufacturing Limited has proposed setting up a 0.53 MTPA integrated steel plant along with a ductile iron (DI) pipe unit and a 46 MW captive power plant in Keonjhar. The project involves an investment of Rs 2,490 crore and is expected to create 2,370 jobs.Meanwhile, Supreme Metals Export Private Limited has proposed setting up a 1.2 MTPA rolling mill for TMT bars and wire rods in Keonjhar, with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore. The project is expected to create 680 jobs, officials said.In the textiles sector, Sportking India Limited will invest Rs 2,055 crore to establish a cotton and blended yarn manufacturing unit in Khurda, with an annual production capacity of 62,000 MT. The project is projected to generate 4,800 employment opportunities.Additionally, Linde India Limited plans to invest Rs 1,303.50 crore in Jajpur to set up an Air Separation Unit, which will supply high-quality industrial gases and generate employment for 100 people.In the ancillary metal sector, Star Metal Works Private Limited will invest Rs 2,291 crore to establish a narrow hot strip mill, cold rolling mill, and plate-cum-Steckle mill in Sambalpur. The project is expected to generate 250 employment opportunities.