By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Even though, at least 2 Powerful Ministers read State’s Industry, Energy and MSME Minister Pratap Deb and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Cooperation Atanu Nayak representing Kendrapara in Naveen Patnaik led State Cabinet in Odisha, the first ever proposed big industry, in this coastal district, seems finding no headway with the implementing firm, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, keeps mum and only looking for suitable lands.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on March 4, 2021 said, “Kendrapara was the Karmabhumi of Biju Babu and he loved the place and its people from the core of his heart.” He also stated that Kendrapara provides ideal prospects for an integrated steel complex and the State Government will provide all the required support and facilitation for the setting up of this mega project.
“The steel plant along with the jetty will add significantly to the economic activity and employment generation in not only Kendrapara but also other parts of Odisha. Our entire government team will work hard with dedication for quick implementation of the mega project,” Mr.Patnaik had said assuring that he would personally monitor each and every milestone of the project.
Earlier on March 2021, the State government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) for setting up an integrated steel plant in Kendrapara with an investment of Rs 50,000 crore.
AMNS India is awaiting forest and environment clearances to take forward the process to set up a 12 million tonne Greenfield steel plant. AMNS India is a 60:40 joint venture (JV) company between Mittal’s Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel of Japan.
From March 2021 to October 2022, no progress made so far for the project. Only senior officials of ArcelorMittal had visited the proposed steel plant site in the seaside villages of Mahakalapada block several months back. Locals said, the company is looking for suitable land in the seaside villages to set up the steel plant.
Executive chairman of ArcelorMittal Lakshmi Mittal had also visited Badatubi, Sanatubi, Hetamundia, Kansaradia, Nipania and Batighar villages in Kendrapar to take stock of the availability for the steel project.
At the 27th meeting of the High-Level Clearance Authority, which was chaired by the Odisha Chief Minister, the plan was approved. The project was expected to be conducted in stages and expected to complete in seven years but it seems, it may delay in view of no progress made yet.
This mega project was expected to generate direct employment opportunities to 16,000 persons and create significant indirect employment opportunities through ancillary and downstream industries and services but no progress made yet, sources said.
