Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated the first phase of the Tata Steel Kalinganagar plant to the nation on 18 November. In the first phase, the steel plant has a capacity of 3 million tonne of sophisticated products that are in high demand by the automobile and a range of consumer durable products. The state-of-the-art plant has cost Rs 25,000 crore in the first phase built with facilities for taking the expansion to six million tonnes. This would involve additional expenditure of around Rs 15,000 crore. Addressing during the inaugural ceremony, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Kalinganagar has been transformed into a steel hub of the country. Tata Steel’s plant will be a milestone in the industrial history of the state and it will help in financial progress of Jajpur as well as Odisha.”

With this new plant, Tata Steel’s capacity has increased to 13 million tonnes. With the second phase adding another 3 million tonnes, there is the potential to take capacity over the next couple of years to 16 million tonnes. The green field site will lend for further large-scale expansion.  During the inauguration, Tata Sons Group Chairman, Cyrus P Mistry, said that Odisha is poised for a 20 per cent growth rate by 2020. Mistry pointed to  Tata Steel investing around Rs 2000 crore in iron ore and mining operation in the state in coming years. T V Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel stated that the Odisha plant is the largest single location green field project in the country and the facilities will manufacture highly specialised and customised steels for auto, oil  and gas sectors.