CM Majhi Backs Rourkela Steel Plant Growth Plan
CM Majhi assures Centre of cooperation but stresses land issues must be resolved through consensus to accelerate Odisha’s steel sector growth
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has reiterated its commitment to supporting major industrial expansion, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi assuring full cooperation for the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) expansion during a high-level meeting with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, in Bhubaneswar. The discussion, attended by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, focused on unlocking Odisha’s full potential as a national steel and mining powerhouse.
Kumaraswamy said the Chief Minister had pledged complete support from the state government, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of scaling India’s steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030. Calling the interaction “fruitful,” he said the talks underscored the strategic importance of Odisha, which holds some of the country’s richest mineral deposits and hosts key industrial infrastructure.
The meeting centred on three critical areas—modernisation of RSP, its long-planned expansion, and the state’s overall steel and mining output. While modernisation of the existing plant is progressing smoothly, the expansion plan, approved by SAIL in 2021, has been delayed primarily due to land acquisition challenges and the presence of unauthorised occupants on RSP-owned land.
The expansion project aims to more than double RSP’s capacity to about 9.3 million tonnes per annum by 2030, backed by an investment of approximately ₹30,000 crore. However, despite the financial and technical readiness, the project has remained stagnant owing to the unresolved land issues.
Chief Minister Majhi emphasised that the state recognises the economic benefits of the expansion, including substantial job creation and growth in ancillary industries. However, he made it clear that land acquisition can only move forward after local concerns are addressed. “Development must be consensus-driven,” he stressed, highlighting the state’s approach of balancing industrial progress with community interests.
To fast-track solutions, it was decided that a committee headed by an Additional Chief Secretary-rank officer will be constituted. This panel will hold discussions with affected communities, address grievances, and work toward mutually agreeable solutions. The formation of this committee marks a significant step in breaking the prolonged deadlock.
Beyond steel sector issues, the meeting also discussed land allocation for establishing an airport in Rourkela—an infrastructure boost that could enhance connectivity and accelerate economic activity in Western Odisha.
Kumaraswamy expressed appreciation for the state’s commitment and noted that Odisha’s support is vital to achieving national steel production targets. “Odisha is an essential pillar of India’s steel growth journey,” he said, highlighting the state’s vast mineral wealth and industrial ecosystem.
With both the Centre and the state expressing readiness to collaborate, the focus now shifts to resolving land-related bottlenecks. The renewed engagement marks a crucial moment for the Rourkela Steel Plant, whose expansion has the potential to significantly reshape the economic landscape of Odisha’s industrial belt.
Centre–State Push for RSP Expansion Gains Momentum in Odisha
