Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday reviewed the Aditya Birla Group’s ongoing and proposed investments in Odisha with the conglomerate’s Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, during which the company proposed an additional investment of around ₹12,000 crore to expand its greenfield alumina refinery project at Kansariguda in Rayagada district.
The proposed expansion will increase the capacity of the Hindalco Industries Limited refinery from the originally planned one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to three MTPA. With the fresh investment, the total investment in the project will rise to around ₹20,000 crore from the initially envisaged ₹8,000 crore.
The meeting focused on reviewing the progress of the Group’s projects in Odisha and identifying measures to facilitate their timely implementation. Discussions also explored opportunities for expanding the Aditya Birla Group’s presence in sectors where it currently has limited operations in the state.
According to the state government, the expanded refinery project at Kansariguda in Kashipur tehsil of Rayagada district is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment while creating business opportunities for local enterprises, service providers and downstream industries.
Welcoming the proposed expansion, Majhi said Odisha’s mineral resources should translate into greater value addition, advanced manufacturing and quality employment within the state. He said aluminium would remain central to the state’s industrial growth strategy, with the government aiming to build a globally competitive ecosystem spanning alumina refining, primary aluminium production, downstream manufacturing and advanced aluminium products.
The Chief Minister said the expansion of the Kansariguda refinery would further strengthen Odisha’s position as India’s leading metals and metallurgy hub. He also assured the Aditya Birla Group of the state government’s continued support for the timely implementation and expansion of its projects, including facilitation of land, infrastructure, utilities, statutory approvals and other project requirements through a coordinated approach.
The meeting also reviewed the Group’s existing and proposed investments across aluminium, alumina, chemicals, cement, renewable energy, textiles and apparel. Discussions further covered potential investments in copper refining, copper-clad laminates, printed circuit boards, technical textiles, paints, jewellery manufacturing and advanced aluminium products.
The state government said the proposed expansion of the Kansariguda project would further reinforce Odisha’s position as a preferred destination for metals, mineral processing and value-added manufacturing.
