Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared on Thursday that the state’s second-largest steel mill will be built in the Keonjhar district, significantly enhancing Odisha’s economic environment. In the Patna region of Keonjhar, the Chief Minister’s home district, the world’s largest steel company POSCO and India’s top steel manufacturer JSW Steel have partnered to establish the massive complex.
Local delegates from Keonjhar, civic associations, and social groups met with the Chief Minister today at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar to thank him for the initiative. Additionally, Majhi was commended by Akhil Naik (MLA, Patna) and Fakir Naik (MLA, Telkoi) for his individual efforts in fulfilling the long-standing demand.
“The people of Keonjhar have been pressing for a steel plant in the district for many years. Previous governments did not act on this demand. The present government, with support from the Centre, has taken proactive steps to make it a reality,” Majhi said.
He continued by saying that the construction of the plant will transform the Patna area of Keonjhar into a megacity similar to Rourkela, creating a significant number of jobs and improving the infrastructure in the mineral-rich area. Notably, the Keonjhar project was made possible by the recent non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) between JSW Steel and the POSCO Group to jointly investigate the establishment of a 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant in India.
It is anticipated that the projected facility will turn Keonjhar into a significant steel center, solidifying Odisha’s standing as the top steel-producing state in India.
