In a major development, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved 12 crucial projects with a cumulative investment intent of INR 84,918.75 crore. These projects are set to create employment opportunities for 42,281 individuals across various sectors, stated an official. The High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister on Friday, approved investment proposals in apparel and textiles, green hydrogen and green ammonia, steel, power and renewable energy, and chemical and petrochemical downstream sectors.
The projects will be strategically located in numerous districts, including Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kendrapada, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, and Sundargarh. Noteworthy among the projects is the establishment of an integrated textile and logistics facility at Choudwar in Cuttack district by Welspun Living Limited, with a substantial investment of INR 3,050 crore. This project alone has the potential to create employment for 20,210 individuals, according to an official.
Another remarkable investment is the INR 3,137 crore pipe manufacturing and pipe coating plant to be set up by Welspun Corp Limited in Sambalpur district. This endeavour is projected to generate employment for 3,830 people in Sambalpur. Moreover, the state government has approved Sintex BAPL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Welspun, to establish a manufacturing unit for CPVC, UPVC, PVC fittings, and plastic tanks in Sambalpur district.
The government’s focus on green hydrogen and green ammonia sectors was evident from the approvals granted to Welspun New Energy Limited and Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India Private Limited. Welspun New Energy Limited secured the green signal to set up a significant 0.70 MMTPA green ammonia manufacturing unit in Kendrapada district, generating employment for 1,000 people. Similarly, Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India Private Limited received approval for a 0.72 MMTPA green ammonia manufacturing unit in Gopalpur, Ganjam district, with employment potential for 1,250 individuals.
The push toward sustainable energy continued with ReNew E-Fuels Private Limited’s approval for an investment of INR 10,005 crore. The company will establish a green hydrogen (100 KTPA) and green methanol (500 KTPA) manufacturing unit in Malkangiri district, along with a green hydrogen (60 KTPA) and green methanol (300 KTPA) manufacturing unit in Rayagada district. This project is set to employ 2,800 people.
In the steel sector, the HLCA approved Tata Steel’s ambitious project to establish an HR & CR Coilplant in Dhenkanal with a production capacity of 6.50 MTPA. The project, valued at INR 10,351.11 crore, is expected to create employment opportunities for 3,725 individuals. Furthermore, Orissa Metallurgical Industry Private Limited secured approval for an investment of INR 5,200 crore to establish a 2 MTPA Integrated Steel Plant, 240 MW Captive Power Plant, and 1 MTPA Cement Grinding Unit in Jharsuguda district, employing 6,000 people.
Ind Barath Energy Utkal Limited received HLCA’s nod for an investment of INR 6,012.46 crore to establish a 1X800 MW ULTRA Super Critical Coal Fired Thermal Power Project. This project is anticipated to create employment for 450 individuals in Jharsuguda.
Lastly, the chemical and petrochemical downstream sector experienced a significant boost with the approval of Aegis Vopak’s project to establish a greenfield tank storage facility for liquid ammonia in Gopalpur, Ganjam district. With a production capacity of 80,000 TPA, this project requires an investment of INR 1,000 crore and has the potential to employ 100 individuals.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s approvals for these projects are a testament to his commitment to promoting industrial growth and enhancing employment opportunities in Odisha. These investments across various sectors are expected to stimulate economic development and set the stage for a sustainable future in the state.
