Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday launched construction of the proposed JSW Steel project at Dhinkia near Paradip, describing it as one of the state's largest industrial investments and expressing confidence that the integrated steel complex would begin operations by 2029.
The project, being developed by JSW Utkal Steel Limited, is expected to attract investments of nearly Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Of this, around Rs 65,000 crore will go towards the steel manufacturing facility, while the remaining amount will be spent on allied infrastructure and support systems.
The state government estimates the project could generate close to 32,000 employment opportunities directly and indirectly.
Planned with a production capacity of 13.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the plant is expected to strengthen Odisha's standing as a major steel-producing hub in India.
Speaking at the event, Majhi contrasted the project's progress with the earlier POSCO proposal that had remained stalled for years despite a memorandum of understanding being signed in 2005.
The South Korean company eventually withdrew from the project in 2017. The land acquired for the abandoned venture was later handed over to JSW for redevelopment.
The Chief Minister said work on several critical units has now commenced simultaneously, including the blast furnace, steel melting shop, coke oven, captive port and sinter plant.
Although the original timeline anticipated construction beginning only after completion of the pellet plant by 2028, the state government accelerated the process.
Majhi also announced plans to establish engineering colleges in Paradip and Balangir to improve technical education and employment prospects for local youth.
Highlighting Odisha's broader industrial ambitions, he said new steel projects are also planned in Dhenkanal and Keonjhar.
According to the government, 433 investment proposals worth Rs 8.5 lakh crore have been approved over the past two years, with potential to create more than five lakh jobs across sectors.