ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel reaffirms its commitment to the Odisha project.
Arpit Pattnaik
In the midst of swirling rumors and political allegations, Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) has confirmed its commitment to the proposed construction of a 24 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) steel plant in Kendrapara, Odisha. The company released a statement on Monday to dispel claims that it is relocating the project to Andhra Pradesh.
This clarification follows allegations from leaders of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), who suggested that the steel giant was shifting its focus to Andhra Pradesh due to perceived inefficiencies within the Odisha government. The BJD leaders expressed concerns that such a move would result in significant job losses and hinder economic growth for the state.
A senior official from AM/NS stated, “We are fully committed to our Kendrapara project. The process is currently underway, and we are at various stages of obtaining government approvals. There is no question of backing out of this project.” The official also noted that the company is simultaneously establishing another steel plant in Paradip, Odisha.
Odisha Industries Minister Sampad Swain addressed the issue by accusing the BJD leaders of misleading the public. “The allegations are baseless. We have held multiple review meetings with company officials, and the project is progressing as planned,” Swain said. He emphasized that the state government is expediting the necessary approvals and support for the project.
In addition to the Kendrapara project, AM/NS is also investing in a major steel plant in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, as part of its broader expansion strategy. This new project is integral to the company’s ambitious plan to achieve a steel manufacturing capacity of 40 MTPA by 2035.
