POST NEWS NETWORK
Kalinganagar, Nov 18: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday 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 Kalinganagar 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 Kalinganagar 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 3,000 people and more than 22,000 have got indirect employment. This will bring about massive development in the economy in and around Kalinganagar, Patnaik said.
Tata Steel’s 6 MTPA plant is being set up in two phases of 3 million tonne each over 2200 acre of land here in Jajpur district.
“I am told that the Tata Steel is planning to expand the capacity of Kalinganagar 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 crore 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 tonne steel plant at Kalinganagar in November, 2004, faced stiff agitation by 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 in and around Kalinganagar as this was the Chief Minister’s first visit after the 2006 firing incident.
Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry in his address said, “Kalinganagar Steel Plant will be yet another journey of growth and development for Orissa. 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 Orissa as the state is poised to emerge as the “industrial ecosystem” of the country.
“Kalinganagar Steel Plant will achieve the global benchmark in steel making,” Mistry added.
Tata Steel MD T V Narendran claimed the plant is a symbol of fulfilling Tata Steel’s commitment made to its shareholders and society at large.
The 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. PTI