Bhubaneswar, 19 November (H.S.): Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing modernisation and proposed expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram was also present during the meeting.
Officials informed that while the modernisation work at RSP is progressing well, land acquisition for the expansion project now needs to be expedited.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the expansion of RSP is crucial for the state’s economic growth and employment generation. He reiterated that land acquisition would be carried out only after resolving local issues and securing the consent of the affected communities.
It was decided in the meeting that a high-level committee, chaired by an Additional Chief Secretary, would be formed to engage with local residents and address all pending concerns to facilitate the project smoothly.
Minister Kumaraswamy expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and Union Minister Jual Oram for their cooperation in advancing the expansion initiative. Discussions were also held on providing land for establishing an airport in Rourkela, along with other related matters.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Additional Chief Secretary of Steel and Mines Surendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Revenue Devaranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Industries Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sashwat Mishra, Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik, SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash, and other senior officials of SAIL.a
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
