Interview Times 
Odisha is one of the fastest progressing states when it comes to opportunities for investment in every sector. Due to the abundance of natural resources, industry-friendly attitude, skilled human resources and stable governance, Odisha is emerging as a leading destination for industries and investment from around India and the world.
Odisha is considered as a center for mineral-based industries due to its large mineral deposits. It is also the largest producer of aluminium, steel and stainless steel in the country. Odisha ranked #13 in Export Preparedness Index 2021 and is recognised as an “Achiever” among the coastal states by DPIIT in Logistics Ease (LEADS 2022).
Supporting the “Make in Odisha” initiative launched by the Government of Odisha for industrial growth, major investors are already operating in the state such as NTPC, MCL, SAIL, Tata Steel, TCS, Adani, JSPL, PPL, IOCL and many more. Further, significant number of companies are investing in various sectors in Odisha.
Odisha Govt. has identified several focus sectors for development of opportunities of investment such as Mining, Metal, Power, Agriculture & Food Processing, Tourism, Chemical and Petrochemical, Electronics Manufacturing, Sports and Textile and Apparel.
Mining Sector
Odisha has emerged as the key state with regard to the mining industry. In 2021-22, the mineral revenue collected by Odisha was Rs 49859.12 crores. In 2019-20, Odisha contributed to the largest share (35.3%) of mineral production (by value) in India. Odisha’s industries are based mainly on the natural resources available in the state. The state carries more than 35% of country’s natural resources.
Odisha is the largest producer of chromite, nickel, bauxite, manganese and iron ore and the 2nd largest producer of coal in India. The state accounts for the country’s 96% chromite, 93% nickel ore, 90% PGM metal, 69% cobalt ore, 51% bauxite, 44% manganese, 34% iron ore (haematite), 25% sillimanite, 24% fireclay, 23% pyrophyllite, 20% vanadium ore, 17% mica, and 10% dolomite resources. Odisha has one of the highest shares of gross value added (GVA) coming from mining globally.
In FY22, Odisha was in the leading position, in terms of estimated value of mineral production in the country and had the share of 47.2% in the national output. Next in order was Chhattisgarh with a share of 16.2% followed by Karnataka (14.31%), Rajasthan (11%) and Jharkhand (4.5%) in the total value of mineral production.
Opportunities in mining include taking part in auction of new mines in the state. Odisha has the highest auction rate for non-coal mines (19%) followed by Karnataka & Madhya Pradesh (16%), Maharashtra (13%) and Rajasthan (10%). Out of the total blocks auctioned in different states, Odisha has operationalised the most number of blocks (51% of total blocks) thereby displaying its agility.
Investers also have the opportunity for investing in commercial coal mines. Currently Odisha has auctioned 10 coal blocks for commercial mining pupose.
Metal Sector
Odisha is the highest producer of Aluminium, Steel and Stainless Steel in the country. Major Steel producers like Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless Steel (JSL) and Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL) have their integrated steel plants in the state. The installed capacity of crude steel making in Odisha has now grown to 33 MT per annum in 2020-21 from just 4 MT per annum in 1999-2000 and is projected to be 100 MT in 2030. The state has more than 20% of steelmaking capacity of the country.
Major industries in Odisha include integrated steel plants at Rourkela, Kalinga Nagar, Jharsuguda and Angul; NALCO (National Aluminium Company Ltd.) with its Alumina Plant at Damanjodi & Aluminium smelting complex at Angul; Thermal power plants Talcher & Ib valley area etc. in addition to Fertilizer plants, Pulp and paper industries, Ferro alloys plants, cement plants etc. elsewhere in the state.
New investment includes mega projects such as Jindal Steel Works (JSW) setting up a Greenfield integrated mega steel plant having a capacity of 12 MTPA which has been approved by the State government and Arcelor Mittal/Nippon Steel starting pellet production and setting up a greenfield integrated mega steel plant of 24 MTPA capacity, for which Odisha government has already given approval.
Energy & Power Sector
Odisha is the 1st state in the country to bring in power sector reforms. Odisha is also the first state in the country to bring the power sector under regulatory regime by establishing the Odisha State Electricity Regulatory Commission. After the power reforms, a total of 13 public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private organisations are functioning under the administrative control of Energy Dept. of Odisha. To harness benefits of different segments of the power sector, Odisha for the 1st time in the country unbundled the Odisha State Electricity Board into professionally managed DISCOMs, transmission company (OPTCL), a company (GRIDCO) for bulk supply of power to DISCOMs and trading of electricity and a generating company (OHPC) to take care of the state’s hydroelectric generating stations.
