Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Odisha’s industrial landscape, the state’s second largest steel plant will be established in Keonjhar district, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced on Thursday. Global steel giant POSCO and India’s leading steelmaker JSW Steel have joined hands to set up the mega facility in the Patna area of Keonjhar, the Chief Minister’s home district.
Citizens’ groups, social outfits, and local representatives from Keonjhar met the Chief Minister at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar today to express gratitude for the initiative. Akhil Naik (MLA, Patna) and Fakir Naik (MLA, Telkoi) also thanked Majhi for his personal efforts in bringing the long-pending demand to reality.
“The people of Keonjhar have been pressing for a steel plant in the district for many years. Previous governments did not act on this demand. The present government, with support from the Centre, has taken proactive steps to make it a reality,” Majhi said.
He added that with the establishment of the plant, Patna area of Keonjhar will be developed into a mega city like Rourkela, bringing large-scale employment and infrastructure development to the mineral-rich region.
Notably, JSW Steel and the POSCO Group recently signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) to jointly explore the setting up of a 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant in India, paving the way for the Keonjhar project.
The proposed plant is expected to transform Keonjhar into a major steel hub, further consolidating Odisha’s position as India’s leading steel-producing state.
