New Delhi [India], March 30 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra has criticised the choice of ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel to maneuver their proposed metal plant from Odisha to Andhra Pradesh, calling it a ‘very unhappy and shameful growth’ and asserting that metal manufacturing ought to happen in Odisha itself.
In an unique dialog with ANI, Patra stated that the venture was initially deliberate for Odisha when former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had travelled to Japan and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon Steel.
‘It is a really unhappy and shameful growth that the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant, which was initially deliberate for Odisha, is now being shifted to Andhra Pradesh,’ Patra stated.
He additional raised considerations over the transportation of Odisha’s mineral sources to a different state.
‘The second most important subject is that Odisha’s minerals can be transported to Andhra Pradesh by way of a slurry pipeline. If each metal plant and business strikes out of Odisha, and our minerals and coal are exported by such pipelines, nothing can be left for the state,’ he added.
He additionally instantly addressed Lakshmi Mittal, stating, ‘If Lakshmi Mittal desires to provide metal, he ought to accomplish that in Odisha moderately than taking our minerals to Andhra Pradesh.’
ArcelorMittal had introduced on March 23 the inspiration stone-laying ceremony for a brand new built-in metal plant of its three way partnership, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, at Rajayyapeta in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh.
The firm acknowledged that the situation affords strategic benefits: ‘With a superb coastal location and proximity to the prevailing slurry pipeline, enabling simple connection to certainly one of India’s richest iron ore deposits, it is going to be one of many lowest-cost, best crops in India.’
However, in 2021, an MoU was signed between the Government of Odisha and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel for establishing a 12-million-tonne built-in metal plant in Kendrapara district, with an funding of Rs 50,000 crore.
Politically, Odisha holds significance, as 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats have been received by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) within the 2024 General Elections, marking a pointy rise from its earlier tally of eight seats.
With a BJP-led ‘double-engine’ authorities on the Centre and within the state, Odisha has been attracting investments lately.
The state has additionally witnessed elevated give attention to industrial and infrastructure progress. In August 2025, the Union Cabinet accredited two semiconductor items for the state, together with a Silicon Carbide (SiC) compound fab by SiCSem Pvt Ltd and a complicated packaging unit by 3D Glass Solutions Inc., each to be arrange in Bhubaneswar’s Info Valley.
Additionally, the Union Budget 2026-27 introduced the institution of devoted Rare Earth Corridors throughout 4 states, together with Odisha, geared toward strengthening home capabilities in important minerals. (ANI)