Bhubaneswar: In a landmark development for Odisha’s industrial growth, JSW Steel officially commenced the construction of its blast furnace for the mega integrated steel plant in the Ersama area of Paradip, Jagatsinghpur district. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation stone in a grand ceremony held in Dhinkia today, marking a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards becoming the ‘Steel Capital’ of India.
The project, touted as the largest single investment in Odisha’s history, will see JSW Steel pump in a massive ₹1,25,000 crore. To be executed in two phases, the state-of-the-art facility will have an annual steel production capacity of 24 million tonnes. It will also include a 12 million tonnes per annum cement plant, a 900 MW captive power plant, and a dedicated jetty. The plant is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, transforming the economic landscape of the region.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi assured full government support to the project. He was joined by JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal and senior executives from Japanese partner JFE Steel. Majhi highlighted the accelerated pace of the project under the new ‘double engine’ government.
“For two decades, people waited for this project. Only a foundation stone was laid earlier. Now, work has begun in fast-track mode,” he said.
The Chief Minister set an ambitious timeline, promising completion of construction and commencement of steel production by 2028. He cited the example of Trimetro Garments in Khordha, where production started within a year of foundation laying, as proof of the government’s efficient working style.
In a major announcement, Majhi revealed that a ‘Sister States’ agreement will soon be signed between Odisha and Japan’s Tottori prefecture. This pact is expected to bring substantial Japanese investment in industry, tourism, and education. He also mentioned ongoing projects worth ₹30,000 crore in Jharsuguda with JFE Steel and upcoming steel plants in Dhenkanal and Keonjhar.
Presenting a two-year performance report, the Chief Minister said his government has approved 433 industrial projects involving ₹8.5 lakh crore investment, promising over 5 lakh jobs. Ground-breaking has been completed for 148 projects, creating employment for nearly 2.37 lakh youths so far.
Emphasizing the ‘Two-Coast Strategy’, Majhi outlined plans to develop Paradip, Dhamra, and Gopalpur ports on the lines of Gujarat’s Mundra Port under the Prime Minister’s ‘Purvodaya’ vision. Additional initiatives include a cruise terminal, mega shipbuilding complex, and the ₹5,000 crore Paradip-Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Puri Economic Corridor (BCPPER). These projects are expected to generate over one lakh jobs in the Paradip region alone in the coming years.
Industries Minister Sampada Chandra Swain termed the occasion a historic moment for Paradip and Jagatsinghpur. He stressed focus on local youth employment and investor-friendly policies.
Other dignitaries present included Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhuprasad Tarai, local MLAs, Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, Local MLAs, district Collector and senior JSW officials. With the policy mantra “Banijaye Basate Lakshmi”, the Chief Minister called for collective support to make Odisha one of India’s most developed states by 2036, the centenary year of its formation.
