Odisha approves investment proposals worth Rs.41,900 crore

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar: Though the Naveen Patnaik Government has failed to facilitate implementation of many industrial projects during its 15-year-rule rule, the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), the highest body to clear investment proposals in Odisha, today approved seven new mega projects involving a total investment of Rs.41,900 crore.The projects – four in power sector, two in steel and one in aluminium sector – were approved at the HLCA meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.Talking to journalists after the meeting, Industries Minister Debi Prasad Mishra claimed that the new projects would provide direct employment to 4,450 persons.The power projects which got the HLCA approval are of JGreen Power Private Limited Company, Mahanadi Basin Power Limited, Tata Power Limited and CESE Limited.Similarly, Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL) and Ardent Steel Limited’s proposal for expansion of their capacities also got the HLCA’s approval.BPSL has proposed to enhance its steel making capacity from 2.80 mtpa to 5.5 mtpa at its Sambalpur plant through an investment of Rs.4,837 crore, according an official release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.Besides, Keonjhar-based Ardent Steel Limited has proposed to expand capacity of its iron ore pelletisation plant, iron ore benefication plant, DRI plant, pig iron blast furnace, sinter plant, rolling mill and a captive power plant (CPP) at a combined investment of Rs.4,031 crore.Utkal Alumina has proposed to expand its refinery capacity from 1 mtpa to 1.5 mtpa and its CPP from 50 MW to 90 MW.The company has proposed to invest Rs.7,563 crore.The HLCA has also approved a coal-fired power plant proposal to be set up by Tata Power and Company Ltd at Begunia in Khurda district at a cost of Rs.7,500 crore.Mahanadi Power Limited has proposed a pit head 2X800 MW coal based power plant at Basundhara in Sundargarh district at an investment of Rs.8,000 crore, according to the release.The HLCA also approved the proposal for a 423 MW capacity power plant to be set up by JGreen Power Private Ltd with an investment of Rs.3,106 crore at Dhamra in coastal Bhadrak district.A super critical power unit to be set up by Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) with an investment of Rs.8,861 crore in Dhenkanal district was also approved by the HLCA.