Arcelor Mittal confirms continued investment in Odisha amid political dispute

Bhubaneswar, Nov 4: In response to allegations from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) suggesting that Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel plans to relocate its proposed steel plant from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the 24 MTPA facility planned for Kendrapada. A senior official from Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India clarified that the project is actively progressing and that the necessary government approvals are being sought.

The official also noted that alongside the Kendrapada project, a new mega steel plant is set to be established in Paradip. These statements come in light of BJD leader Pratap Jena's claims that the previous Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had engaged in discussions in Japan to establish the plant in Kendrapada, but that it is now allegedly being shifted due to perceived inefficiencies in the state government.

Industries Minister Sampad Swain strongly denied these allegations, asserting that the BJD's claims are misleading. He emphasized that Arcelor Mittal remains a significant investor in India and has multiple operational plants across the country. Swain further pointed out that just because the company is exploring investments in other states, it does not imply a withdrawal from its plans in Odisha. He also noted that several companies that had previously abandoned projects during the BJD's tenure are now returning following the BJP's assumption of power in the state.