Centre–State Push for RSP Expansion Gains Momentum in Odisha
CM Majhi, Union Ministers Kumaraswamy and Oram discuss speeding up land acquisition, resolving local concerns, and advancing Rourkela’s industrial growth
Bhubaneswar : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan to discuss crucial steps toward the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), one of the flagship units under the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, also participated in the high-level deliberations.
The meeting revolved around the ongoing modernisation and planned expansion of RSP, a backbone of Odisha’s industrial ecosystem. While the modernisation work is progressing steadily, both sides agreed that land acquisition remains the most critical component for the next phase of expansion. To ensure faster progress, officials conducted detailed discussions on streamlining procedures and addressing bottlenecks at the ground level.
Chief Minister Majhi reiterated that the state government is keen to see RSP’s expansion move forward, as it holds significant potential for boosting Odisha’s economic growth and generating large-scale employment. At the same time, he stressed that development must be balanced with the concerns of affected communities.
“The state government is fully committed to cooperating with the Centre. However, land acquisition will take place only after resolving local issues and securing consensus from the people,” Majhi assured.
In a key decision, the meeting concluded with the formation of a high-powered committee headed by an Additional Chief Secretary-level officer. The committee will hold direct talks with local residents, engage in confidence-building measures, and ensure that all outstanding issues are settled amicably.
Union Minister Kumaraswamy expressed his appreciation for the Odisha government’s proactive stance, thanking both CM Majhi and Union Minister Oram for their support in facilitating the expansion of the steel plant. He noted that cooperation between the Centre and the state is essential to accelerate industrial growth in the region.
Besides the steel plant, discussions also touched upon the provision of land for a proposed airport in Rourkela—a development that could significantly improve regional connectivity and bolster industrial prospects. Other key infrastructure matters related to the steel sector were also reviewed.
The meeting saw the presence of several senior officials, including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary (Steel and Mines) Surendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shashwat Mishra, Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Pondrik, SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash, and other senior executives from SAIL.
The collaborative effort between the state and central governments marks a decisive step toward strengthening Odisha’s industrial infrastructure. If executed as planned, the RSP expansion and associated developments like the proposed airport could reshape Rourkela’s economic landscape, driving growth and creating new opportunities for the region.
