Bhubaneswar, April 24 (IANS) Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said that Odisha, driven by its resources, policy framework, infrastructure, and execution, is committed to producing 100 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of steel by 2030.

CM Majhi was speaking at a special programme held in Sambalpur district, marking the joint venture and the initiation of a partnership between JSW Steel Limited and JFE Steel Corporation, Japan. The Chief Minister said the partnership between JSW Steel and JFE Steel Corporation is a pivotal step in Odisha’s transition from an iron-ore producer to a high-value steel manufacturing hub.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), this is Odisha’s first single largest Japanese Investment at Rs 15,000 Crore. This Investment will further expand the existing capacity of JSW Steel by an additional 10 MTPA, marking a substantial presence of Odisha in the Global Steel Market.

“I reaffirm Odisha’s long-term industrial vision: We are committed to producing 100 MTPA of steel by 2030. It is a strategic commitment backed by resources, policy, infrastructure, and meticulous execution,” said Majhi.

He also noted that the state currently produces about 40 million tonnes of steel annually and is progressing toward 100 million tonnes per annum to meet rising domestic and export demand driven by infrastructure growth and downstream industries. This Investment will enhance the state production capacity.

The Chief Minister also said Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Deogarh will form the Sambalpur growth economic corridor, attract Rs 1 lakh crore investment and generate over 2 lakh jobs.

“In the upcoming days, Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, and Deogarh will form the Sambalpur growth corridor, similar to the state capital growth region. Investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore shall be brought in by Industries, generating a potential of more than 2 lakh jobs through this initiative,” he announced.

On the occasion, CM Majhi stated that the JSW–JFE partnership will strengthen Odisha’s capabilities in high-grade and specialty steel through advanced Japanese technology and operational expertise.

The total JSW-JFE venture would involve an estimated investment of more than Rs 30,000 crore. As the state accelerates toward high-end steel production, the Chief Minister emphasized the strategic relevance of JFE’s expertise, particularly in electrical steel, critical for electric mobility, renewable energy, high-efficiency motors, transformers, and the evolving power ecosystem. He said the project will create skilled employment and catalyze an advanced downstream manufacturing base positioning Odisha in the global map of the supply chain.

Inviting JFE to expand further in Odisha, the Chief Minister made a special appeal to invest in his home district of Keonjhar, citing up to 50% lower overall production costs due to direct access to high-grade iron ore, reduced logistics, proximity to key industrial corridors, and improving infrastructure. He assured fast-track facilitation and incentive support for strategic investments.

–IANS

gyan/pgh