In a significant announcement from Rourkela, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday provided firm assurances that his government will actively pursue the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and the much-needed upgrade of the Rourkela airport. The chief minister emphasized that these twin projects are critical for reinforcing Rourkela's dual identity as a prominent steel city and a designated smart city.
Steel Plant Expansion: A Leap Towards 9.5 MTPA
The Rourkela Steel Plant, currently operating at a capacity of 4.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), has set an ambitious target to double its production to 9.5 MTPA by the year 2030. Chief Minister Majhi revealed that since assuming office, his administration has engaged in detailed discussions with RSP authorities and officials from the steel department to accelerate this expansion plan.
"After our government came to power, I held discussions with RSP authorities and officials of the steel department. Subsequently, the Union steel minister also visited Rourkela with his team and reviewed the matter. We further deliberated on this in Bhubaneswar," Majhi stated during his interaction with mediapersons.
Task Force Established to Fast-Track Progress
To ensure the expansion moves forward without delay, a dedicated task force has been constituted under the chairmanship of Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh. This task force, along with concerned officials, has already conducted three visits to Rourkela to assess the ground situation and facilitate discussions. Majhi noted that while these issues had remained unaddressed in the past, the current government has made substantial progress, moving two steps ahead in the planning and execution phases.
Rourkela Airport Upgrade: Addressing Infrastructure Limitations
Parallel to the steel plant expansion, the upgrade of Rourkela airport is another priority for the state government. The existing airport features a single runway measuring 1,930 metres, which is insufficient to accommodate large-body aircraft, thereby limiting connectivity and economic potential. The proposed upgrade aims to extend the runway or enhance its infrastructure to support larger planes, boosting regional accessibility and trade.
Majhi expressed confidence in the timely implementation of both projects, attributing the anticipated success to the collaborative efforts of the "double-engine government"—a reference to the alignment between the state and central administrations. "With the support of the double-engine govt, I can say with confidence that the expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant and Rourkela airport will be carried out soon," he affirmed.
Broadening Industrial Growth Across Odisha
Beyond Rourkela, Chief Minister Majhi highlighted a surge in investor interest across western Odisha, particularly in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. A recent roadshow in Rourkela attracted over 500 investors from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, many of whom have shown willingness to undertake MSME projects.
"Many of them have expressed willingness to undertake MSME projects. More MoUs will be signed in the coming days, followed by ground-breaking of several projects," he announced, indicating a robust pipeline of industrial activities.
Statewide Industrialization Initiative
Majhi further outlined a comprehensive plan to ensure that industrialization is not confined to select regions but spreads across all 30 districts of Odisha. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and ground-breaking ceremonies are scheduled to take place in 29 districts, with the process already initiated. Discussions are ongoing for the remaining district to ensure inclusive development and project implementation throughout the state.
This holistic approach underscores the government's commitment to fostering economic growth, enhancing infrastructure, and attracting investments, positioning Odisha as a key player in India's industrial landscape.
