Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt on Tuesday approved 18 industrial projects involving a total investment of Rs 3,877.14 crore, with the potential to generate 7,565 jobs.The proposals were cleared by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) chaired by chief secretary Anu Garg. The approved projects span 11 districts — Balasore, Deogarh, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Khurda, Koraput, Puri, Sambalpur and Sundargarh.According to an official statement, the approvals underline Odisha’s focus on building a diversified industrial ecosystem covering advanced manufacturing, green industries, infrastructure, healthcare and tourism, while ensuring region-wide employment generation.Strengthening the state’s metals and downstream manufacturing base, Runaya Eckart Aluminium Powders Pvt Ltd will invest Rs 300 crore to set up an aluminium downstream manufacturing unit in Jharsuguda, creating about 500 jobs.Jay Jagannath Steel & Power Ltd will invest Rs 955 crore to expand its existing sponge iron plant in Sambalpur into an integrated steel plant, with an expected employment potential of 1,600 jobs. Scan Steels Ltd will also expand its integrated steel plant in Sundargarh with an investment of Rs 503 crore.Solar Industries India Ltd will invest Rs 210 crore to establish an explosives manufacturing facility in Jharsuguda, while Baleshwar Shipyard and Infra Pvt Ltd will invest Rs 150 crore in shipbuilding, ship repair and construction of mechanised floating vessels in Balasore, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for maritime industrial activity.The tourism sector will see a boost with six new hospitality projects. These include a five-star hotel in Sambalpur by Jas Constructions (Rs 196 crore), a five-star hotel in Khurda by Rath Hospitality (Rs 154 crore), a four-star hotel in Keonjhar by Keonjhar Regal Paradise (Rs 120 crore), a five-star hotel in Puri by Karyon Ventures (Rs 100 crore), a mountain resort in Koraput by Surya Eco Resorts (Rs 80 crore) and a four-star hotel in Puri by Chaturbhuja Hotel & Resorts (Rs 55 crore).These investments are expected to strengthen tourism infrastructure, enhance visitor experience and generate substantial employment in the service sector, the govt said.
