Odisha clears seven investment proposals worth Rs 3,205 crore
Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy
BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Wednesday approved seven investment proposals worth Rs 3,205.67 crore in sectors like metal and metal downstream, infrastructure, tourism and cement, which would generate employment opportunities for around 2,500 people.
The state-level single window clearance authority (SLSWCA) led by chief secretary Asit Tripathy that generally approves individual projects up to Rs 1,000 crore, cleared the seven investment proposals.
With approval of the seven projects, the state government has cleared investment proposals worth Rs 15,000 crore since April amid the Covid-19 pandemic, said official sources.
“Odisha had emerged as the number one state in attracting investments during first half of the 2019-20 financial year. It is because of the series of steps taken by the state government over the years to facilitate ease of doing business. We want to keep up the momentum despite the pandemic,” said a senior industries department official.
The SLSWCA cleared a proposal of Hindalco Industries Limited to set up a flue-gas desulphurization plant (FGD) for its existing (6×150 MW) captive power plant at Lapanga in Sambalpur. Hindalco Industries will invest Rs 696 crore to set up the FGD plant that would generate employment opportunities for 50 people, said an official statement.
The chief secretary-led panel also cleared series of projects by MGM Minerals Limited that include 0.125 million tonne per annum (MTPA) sponge iron plant, 0.6 MTPA pellet plant, 0.25 MTPA MS billets, 0.25 MTPA TMT and wire rods and 40 MW captive power plant at Nimdha in Dhenkanal. The company would invest Rs 801.89 crore and create employment for about 1215 people.
Another proposal of GM Iron and Steel Company Limited for setting up 0.8 MTPA pellet plant, 0.2379 MTPA DRI plant, 0.195 MTPA billet, 0.24 MTPA wire rod mill, 0.416 MTPA slag cement and 46 MW captive power plant in Dhenkanal also got SLSWCA nod. All the projects would come up with an investment of Rs 607.52 crore while these facilities will provide jobs to 592 people.
“To promote the tourism sector in Odisha, the SLSWCA also approved a proposal of Lifeline Multi-ventures Pvt Ltd to set up a 5-star Hotel in Bhubaneswar with a total investment of Rs 150.38 crore. The hotel project will create 240 jobs,” said industries department official.
Among others, proposals of Envirocare Infrasolution Pvt Ltd for setting up iron ore beneficiation plant of 3.6 MTPA at Koira in Sundergarh by investing Rs 60 crore got go ahead signal of the state government.
In the cement sector, two proposals were cleared for expansion of cement grinding capacities. These include JSW Cement Ltd’s expansion proposal from 1.2 MTPA to 2.4 MTPA and Jajpur Cements Pvt Ltd’s proposal from 0.5 MTPA to 1.5 MTPA. Both the projects are located at Kalinganagar in Jajpur. While JSW will invest Rs 489.88 crore, the Jajpur Cements would invest Rs 400.00 crore for the projects, said official sources.