By Bizodisha Correspondent in Kalinganagar, November 18, 2015 : Tata Group finally succeeded to ground its much awaited second steel plant in the country here on Wednesday brightening the prospects of the region emerging as steel hub in the country.

Inaugurating the first phase 3-million-ton (MnTPA) per annum plant built at an investment of Rs 25,000 crore, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “The spin-off benefits from this plant will accrue to the local economy of Kalinganagar and Jajpur. The plant has already generated 3,000 direct and 22,000 indirect jobs. It is heartening to know that Tata Steel has set target to enhance the plant capacity to 16-MnTPA by 2025 with an investment of Rs One lakh crore,” Mr Patnaik said.

The Kalinganagar plant, which came after 11 years of agonizing wait, is Tata Steel’s largest single-location integrated greenfield project in India. It will produce world-class flat, lighter, high-tensile strength steel and will augment its Indian production to around 13 MnTPA of crude steel in India.

Tata Sons chairman Cyrus P Mistry, Tata Steel managing director (India & SEA) T V Narendran, group executive director (finance and corporate) Koushik Chatterjee were present during the inauguration.

Tata Sons chairman Mr Mistry said the Kalinganagar steel plant the Tata Steel’s key commitment towards nation building and an effort to ensure sustainable growth.

“I am confident that the plant will achieve global benchmarks in steel production, and at the same time will remain committed to growth and development of Odisha,” he said.

In his address, Tata Steel managing director Mr Narendran said the Kalinganagar project was symbolic of the commitment made by the company to its stakeholders, business partners and to the society at large.

“Though the steel sector is going through a tumultuous period, Tata Steel aims to hold a strong ground in tough times. Kalinganagar will not only make a major contribution to develop India’s steel sector, but will also stand out as a quintessential sustainable business project, which involves social inclusion and environment preservation, besides ensuring best quality steel making.”

Earlier in the day, Mr Mistry met Mr Patnaik at secretariat before the commissioning of Tata steel project at Kalinga Nagar. During the discussion, the chief minister urged Tata Group to expand its various businesses in the state.

Proposing development of an IT and Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Naraj, the CM said an area of 800 acres is set aside for industrial development there. Patnaik also urged Tata Power to consider setting up a Defence Electronics Manufacturing Cluster on the lines of its existing units at Bangalore, a press release from chief minsiter’s office said.

The Chief Minister also proposed a PV Cells manufacturing unit at Info-valley by Tata BP Solar, a hotel at Bhubaneswar by Taj Group, and expansion of TCS by making it a major training centre. Mentioning that the progress of industrial park and Special Economic Zone [SEZ] at Gopalpur is not up to mark, the CM proposed Tata Chairman to consider defence manufacturing there.

Mistry assured to consider these project proposals at the earliest.