Suparjya swain 
Feature: India’s mining and infrastructure sector is often described as the backbone of industrial progress, yet it is riddled with challenges that demand vision, resilience, and leadership. At the centre of this transformation stands Dr. Soumya Ranjan Samal, Managing Director of Kalinga Commercial Corporation Ltd (KCCL), whose journey reflects how determination, strategic foresight, and a resolute commitment to people can shape both industries and societies.
Born into a humble family in Odisha, Dr. Samal was the first in his family to enter business. His father, a government servant in the state’s Veterinary Department, introduced him to Late Madanlal Kataruka, a respected Marwari businessman who would become his mentor. Although he initially aspired to study mechanical engineering, fate led him to pursue geology at Khalikote College under Berhampur University. While studying, he also worked under Kataruka, absorbing the nuances of business. His mentor’s words stayed with him: “Don’t regret not becoming an engineer. One day, hundreds of engineers will work for you.” Those words soon turned prophetic.
In 1991, Dr. Samal took his first entrepreneurial step by establishing a proprietorship firm in transport and logistics, serving both government and private organizations. His entry into mining came in 2005, when he secured the contract for the Kurmitar Iron Ore Mines under Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). The following year, he was awarded the Gandhamardan Hill Top Quarry, and by 2009, Kalinga Commercial Corporation had formally evolved into KCCL, a limited company. This marked the beginning of a meteoric rise in India’s mining landscape.
Yet, like any true entrepreneur, his path was not without turbulence. Operating in remote and Naxalite-affected regions tested both his logistical capacity and personal grit. At times, heavy loans and regulatory delays nearly stalled progress. The most daunting challenge came with the Saha Commission restrictions in 2011, when mining operations across Odisha were drastically curtailed. For three years, production slowed, but under Dr. Samal’s leadership, KCCL never slipped into losses. Instead, the company prepared for revival. From 2014 onwards, KCCL experienced a golden era, with nearly 40% growth year-on-year, rapidly expanding into chromite and coal mining and setting ambitious financial goals — targeting a turnover of ₹1000 crore in the current fiscal, compared to ₹716.78 crore the previous year.
His ability to deliver large-scale projects has set new industry standards. At Kurmitar Mines, production capacity was enhanced from 0.2 MTPA to 2.0 MTPA within five years (2005–2010). At the Daitari Iron Ore Mines, he undertook a highly risky Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project, modernizing a 36-year-old crushing and conveyor system with massive investments, ultimately boosting capacity to 3.0 MTPA, far surpassing earlier outputs. At Kalta Iron Ore Mines (SAIL), KCCL achieved record production and dispatch targets in the very first year — a feat never accomplished in the mine’s history. Similarly, at Hilltop Iron Mines, Gandhamardan Block-B (OMC), the company hit production goals from the outset. These achievements established KCCL as a force to reckon with in India’s mining and infrastructure sector.
Dr. Samal has established gold standards in corporate house, KCCL, champion’s holistic, transformative, running practices setting an enduring benchmark for new generations of KCCL Family.
But what makes Dr. Samal stand apart is his belief that true success is measured not just by profits but by impact on people’s lives. His vision for social empowerment, especially of women and marginalized communities, has shaped KCCL’s identity. Respecting the call of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, KCCL has launched an ambitious Iron Ore Project to train 300 tribal girls. Over the course of a year, these women will be educated and trained to operate Volvo imported trucks, excavators, loaders, graders, and drilling machines. After completing their training, they will be employed by KCCL itself — a pioneering step that will make them self-reliant, empowered, and respected contributors to the mining workforce. During the COVID-19 crisis, Dr. Samal led relief efforts in Kendujhar district, distributing food, clothing, and winter wear to families and children, while also organizing blood donation camps. His actions reflected his belief that leadership means protecting people in their hardest times.
His commitment to society extends far beyond employment. Every year, he donates ₹1 crore to the Puri Jagannath Temple as an offering of faith and service. KCCL has generated over 20,000 employment opportunities, creating livelihoods across Odisha. Looking ahead, Dr. Samal has set his sights on creating more than one lakh job opportunities for men and women in Odisha, ensuring that people can find dignified work within the state rather than migrating outside. He has also supported old-age homes and orphanages, and ensures that needy families receive financial support for marriages, making even the poorest couple’s wedding a dignified and joyous occasion. These gestures reflect his conviction that industrial growth must walk hand in hand with human dignity.
Today, with a team of more than 7,500 dedicated employees, KCCL is not only a leader in mining and infrastructure but also a symbol of how corporate responsibility can coexist with industrial ambition. For Dr. Samal, the future lies in sustainable mining practices, advanced technologies, and inclusive growth models that blend progress with compassion.
From a geology student in Berhampur to a pioneer reshaping India’s mining sector, from a first-generation entrepreneur to a visionary leader uplifting thousands of lives, Dr. Soumya Ranjan Samal embodies resilience, innovation, and humanity. His story is not just about building a business empire — it is about driving change, empowering communities, and leaving behind a legacy where progress is defined by purpose.
