In August, the government established a task force led by the chief secretary to facilitate the development of a steel plant in Keonjhar
OdishaPlus Bureau
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a large-scale steel plant in Keonjhar is set to be signed during the forthcoming Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar, which will take place on January 28 and 29, as announced by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Tuesday. In November, the Chief Minister revealed a joint venture between POSCO and JSW to create a 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) steel facility in Keonjhar, shortly after the two companies formalized their agreement.
In October, the two firms disclosed that they had entered into a pact for a 5 MTPA steel plant in India, along with partnerships in the battery materials and renewable energy sectors. In August, the government established a task force led by the chief secretary to facilitate the development of a steel plant in the mineral-rich district of Keonjhar. Odisha possesses an estimated 5,900 million tonnes of iron ore, with Keonjhar contributing a significant portion of 2,500 million tonnes.
POSCO, recognized as the seventh largest steel producer globally, signed a MoU with the Odisha government in 2005 to set up a 12 MTPA steel facility in Jagatsinghpur. However, the South Korean company withdrew from the project in 2017. Following this, JSW, under the leadership of Sajjal Jindal, the twelfth largest steel manufacturer in the world, pledged to develop a 13.2 MTPA plant at the same site.
While inaugurating a newly constructed bridge at Jhumpara in his home district of Keonjhar, Majhi emphasized the government’s strong commitment to the long-awaited development of the region. “We are making efforts to enhance various sectors, including education and health, in the district,” he stated. The newly inaugurated bridge spans a canal on the Jhumpara-Ukhunda road, linking the villages of Jhumpara and Sri Rampur. It is expected to benefit between 5,000 and 10,000 residents from the surrounding areas daily. The bridge measures 67 meters in length, complemented by an approach road of 175 meters.
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