By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, February 27, 2020: Odisha government is proposing to develop four township in the industrial belt of Angul, Kalinganagar, Paradip and Jharsuguda.

These industrial regions lack proper township with basic utilities. Industry wants the state government to acquire land and provide basic infrastructure like, water, roads, banks, developed plots and power. Chief Secretary, Asit Tripathy recently discussed the issues with industry leaders to take it forward either through Speial Purpose Vehicle or partnership with state owned IDCO, which is mandated to acquire land for industry.

Angul is a classic example where aluminium-maker Nalco and JSPL have their colonies next to their plant. But the employees have no other option but to spend their leisurely time with fellow employees in the absence of well-developed township for a better social life.

Tata’s Bhushan Steel and GMR’s power plant which was acquired recently by JSW is located close to Angul. Similarly, in nearby Talcher is located NTPC’s power plant and MCL’s coal mines. Put together, more than 15,000 work in the region and the working population will sooner than later get doubled, officials said.

Similarly, in Kalinganagar, which was promoted in 1990s by late Biju Patnaik as the steel hub of the country, has no developed township compelling employees to commute from Cuttack, Bhubaneswar or Jajpur Road.

Officials said, in Kalinganar, a 1100 acres has been acquired of which 500 acres will be used for such a township. Similarly, 500 acres of land has been identified by the district administration in Jharsuguda, and land has also been identified in Paradip.

However, the new townships should not be confined to only residential apartments, but must have medical, banking and educational facilities, and more importantly leisure facilities, like cinemas, shopping complexes and restaurants, that will encourage middle income people to stay on, executives of various companies opined.

Paradip Port township is already being developed as ‘smart port’ and ‘smart city’. Infrastructural projects are coming up including an airstrip.