Kendrapada: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will lay the foundation stone for JSW Utkal Steel Ltd's proposed 13.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) greenfield integrated steel plant at Dhinkia on Wednesday. The project is estimated to cost Rs 65,000 crore.
According to a company official, JSW chairman Sajjan Jindal, Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai, and other dignitaries are expected to attend the foundation ceremony.
Contentious History of the Project Site
The project site has a long and contentious history. South Korean steel major POSCO had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Odisha government on June 22, 2005, to set up a 12 mtpa steel plant across Dhinkia, Nuagaon, and Gadakujang gram panchayats at an estimated cost of Rs 51,000 crore. The project faced stiff resistance from local residents, with repeated protests and clashes between agitators and police, leading POSCO to eventually shelve the project in 2015.
Following POSCO's exit, the state government allotted the acquired land to JSW Utkal Steel Ltd for setting up a new steel plant.
Ongoing Opposition and Support
The JSW project has also faced opposition from sections of locals regarding land acquisition, alleged police action, and the loss of traditional betel vineyards. However, the company recently completed construction of a boundary wall covering around 2,950 acres, paving the way for the project's execution.
JSW Utkal Steel Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Steel, received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on April 10, 2022, for the 13.2 mtpa plant.
Several residents continue to oppose the project. Pinki Das, sarpanch of Dhinkia gram panchayat, said, "This forested area is known for betel, cashew, and paddy cultivation. It also supports vegetables, fruits, and provides forest produce essential for our daily needs. The nearby Jatadhari river sustains 20,000 to 25,000 fishermen. Our livelihoods are at stake after the land was handed over to JSW."
However, a section of residents has welcomed the project, citing employment opportunities. Bhakta Prasad Das, a retired schoolteacher from Dhinkia, said, "We are happy that a steel plant is coming up here. It will generate jobs for local youths."
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About the Author
Ashis Senapati, a seasoned journalist with the Times of India, reports from Kendrapada, Odisha. Covering crime, social issues, and local events in Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapada districts, his impactful stories, including human-animal conflicts and legal developments, reflect deep community insight, earning recognition for highlighting critical regional concerns.
