With Odisha becoming the highest producer of steel and stainless steel in the country, the State Government would undertake development of a first-of-its-kind downstream cluster in Kalinganagar.
Kalinganagar would come up as a major industrial park with focus on steelmaking. The Union Ministry of Steel is setting up the first integrated steel hub at Kalinganagar.
Odisha has been labelled as the highest producer of steel and stainless steel in 2019, which has come as an advantage. And the State Government is planning to create world class industrial infrastructure as there is a race among the State Governments to compete for investments.
While Kalinganagar will have the integrated steel hub, a greenfield steel plant is coming up in Keonjhar, so logistic support with rail and road connectivity is needed to carry raw materials from mines and evacuate products from the plants.
Industries and MSME Secretary Hemant Sharma discussed the issues with senior officials as the State Government has been working on a massive downstream cluster plan in the industrial region of Kalinganagar, said a senior official in the Department of Industries.
Kalinganagar has the natural advantage of major iron ore mines in nearby areas, while movement of metals and iron ore is smooth with rail and road linkage with Paradip Port.
Steel manufacturing has the advantage in Kalinganagar and increased road and rail connectivity between hinterland and major ports of Paradip and Dhamra.
Massive road, rail and waterway connectivity will be developed with establishment of East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC), said sources.
The ECEC will be lifeline for the industrial park and steel hub, which has been identified as the major infrastructure network of the State.
The Ministry of Steel is continuously monitoring the enhancement of the capability of the infrastructure. Critical rail and road connectivity has been identified and third line Howrah-Chennai Rail Route is needed most, apart from doubling of Bansapani-Jakhapura rail line.
Timely completion of Paradip-Haridaspur and Angul-Sukinda Rail Projects has been identified as critical connectivity required for the integrated steel hub. Hijli to Narayangarh rail line completion and Narayangarh to Jakhapura third line establishment is very critical for Kalinganagar, said sources.
Doubling of Banspani-Meramundali rail link and Bhadrakh-Dhamra rail link has been stressed by the Ministry of Steel.
Eight laning of State Highway-20 and six laning of Duburi-Bamnipal-Keonjhar are on the top priority, sources said. Several other National Highways and State Highways require upgradation and a new corridor is planned. Now, the State Government is coordinating the entire efforts with the Union Ministries of Steel, Railways and Road Transport and Highways.
