Archive for August, 2010

What’s Rahul Gandhi up to in Odisha?

Aluminium, Anil Agarwal, ENVIRONMENT, EXPOSING ANTI-ODISHA-GROWTH SCHEMES, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, POSCO, South Korea, Steel 5 Comments »

Following article titled ” `Rahul hand behind POSCO, Vedanta mess’ – Cong counters BJD charge” is from Times of India Bhubaneswar edition. Thanks to HM for bringing this to our notice and sending it to us.

International airport at Bhubaneswar and functioning airports at Jharsuguda and Jeypore

Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Jeypore, Jharsuguda, Jharsugurha, Jharsugurha- Brajarajnagar- Belpahar, Khordha, Koraput, Koraput- Jeypore- Sunabedha- Damanjodi, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Sambalpur-Burla-Jharsuguda 6 Comments »

Tathya.in has an article about this. Following are some excerpts.

The Odishans world-wide now recognize the need of International Flights to Bhubaneswar and Domestic Flights to Jharsuguda in order to effectively connect to the hi-tech businesses and tourism around the world.

Without the requisite air connectivity, Odisha cannot expect a jumpstart in development given all the potential that the state has in Tourism, Education and IT, feels Purna Mohanty, leading Non Resident Odia(NRO).

It all started during Pre Invest Bhubaneswar meeting at Hotel Swosti in May 2010, said he.

And then further concretized with hard-copy signature campaign during Invest Bhubaneswar and OSA Convention during 1-4 July, followed by Ratha Yatra Festival in Silicon Valley, CA, USA.

The signature campaign was completed and submitted to Prime Minister, Civil Aviation Minister, Chief Minister and Member of Parliaments.

NROs are thus presenting an overall proposal of Air connectivity in Odisha, with a request to consider & expedite the implementation of the following at the minimum:

Upgrade the 6 decade old regional Airport at Bhubaneswar to an International Airport at the earliest possible.

Expedite and complete the construction of ongoing western regional Jharsugda Airport in Jharsugda district, in western Odisha, within next two years.

The petitionodisha site has a petition on immediate upgradations of airports in Odisha. Please visit it. Besides signing it please also send emails (email addresses of where to send is given here) as in my experience emails have more impact than e-petitions. While our earlier email sample only mentioned Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda, the petition adds Jeypore. It is indeed a good location for a 3rd functioning airport of Odisha. (We earlier wrote about it.) Feel free to add that to your email. 


Pointers to relevant postings from the past:

State High-level Clearance Authority (SHLCA) clears project of 1,00,780 crores

Aluminium, Angul, Anil Agarwal, Anugul- Talcher - Saranga- Nalconagar, Dhenkanal, High Level Committee, Industrial Parks, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Jajpur Rd- Vyasanagar- Duburi- Kalinganagar, Jharsugurha, Kalahandi, Kendrapada, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Rayagada- Therubali, Sonepur, Steel, Thermal, Vedanta 1 Comment »

Following are excerpted from Pioneer reports at here and here.

  • Vedanta Aluminum would enhance its refinery, smelter and power plant capacity with a total investment of `37,440 crore. Vedanta Aluminium company would enhance its production capacity Langigarh unit to six million tonne from existing one million tonne. The company would also enhance its production capacity of Jharsuguda aluminium unit to 1.6 million tonne from existing 0.25 million tonne per annum. Similarly, the company would also increase power generation capacity of its CPP (captive power project) to 1,350 mega watt from existing 675 MW at Jharsuguda.
  • NSL Nagapatnam’s `8,900 crore investment plans in the State. The company would set up a 1320 MW power plant in Angul district at a cost of `6,600 crore, a 5,000-tonne sugar refinery at Paradip with an investment of `800 crore and a textile and spindle mill with 3 lakh spindles at a cost of `1,500 crore at Rayagada.
  • ACC Cement’s `1,850 crore three MTPA cement project along with a 50 MW CPP in Malkangiri district 
  • Bhusan Steel’s `3,000-crore steel park at Meramundali.
  • SPI Ports to set up a 1,320 MW (2 x 660 MW) power plant at Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district at an investment of Rs 6,600 crore.
  • KU Pvt Ltd would invest Rs 7,260 crore to set up a power project with 1320 MW power generating capacity at Thakurpur in Sonepur district.
  • Rohit Ferro Alloys would spend Rs 2500 crore for setting up a 67.5 MW captive power plant at its 0.6 MTPA stainless steel project at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district.
  • Aditya Aluminum to enhance the capacity of its Rayagada alumina refinery to 1.5 MTPA from the present 1 MTPA, and Jharsuguda smelter from 0.26 MTPA to 0.36 MTPA with an total investment of Rs 11,000 crore,
  • Jindal India is proposing to enhance the capacity of its power plant from 1,200 MW to 1,800 MW with a total investment of Rs8, 000 crore.
  • Ind-Bharat is proposing to expand its power project capacity from 700 MW to 1320 MW by adding a 660 MW unit with a total cost of Rs 3300 crore.
  • Kalinga Energy, which is now shifting its site from Babuchaki in Sambalpur to Sodamal in Jharsuguda district has also got green signal to enhance the capacity of its power project from 1000 MW to 1320 MW with a total cost of Rs 6500 crore.

Ginning and bale processing unit of cotton to be established in Digapahandi Ganjam at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore

Chief Minister's actions, Ganjam, Textiles Comments Off on Ginning and bale processing unit of cotton to be established in Digapahandi Ganjam at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

A ginning and bale processing unit of cotton will be established in the cooperative sector at Digapahandi in south Orissa’s Ganjam district at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore.

This was announced by the officials of the Regulated Market Committee (RMC) while the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the market yard at Digapahandi for the cotton farmers.

The market yard spread over 6.15 hectares (15.19 acres) of land, is being established under the Technology Mission for Cotton (TMC) under the Union ministry of textiles.

Around Rs 3 lakh is being spent on the development of the market yard. While the TMC had sanctioned Rs 1.50 lakh, the remaining amount would be met from the Rashtriya Krushi Vikash Yojana (RKVY) and RMC.

… The market yard has all infrastructure facilities including two godowns, each with a capacity of 500 tonnes, as well as cover shed, testing and training facilities for the farmers.

Jharsuguda to be the country’s largest power producer city: Samaja

Coal, Engineering and MCA Colleges, Jharsugurha, Jharsugurha- Brajarajnagar- Belpahar, Samaja (in Odia), Thermal, Universities: existing and upcoming 2 Comments »

I don’t know if being the largest power producer city is something good by itself. In general heavy industrialization is happening in Jharsuguda, and a full-fledged airport is coming up there.
However, matching HRD institutions and other amenities are not being made there. There are universities (Sambalpur U and VSSUT) and a medical college in Burla which is about 50 kms away, but none (except the private engineering college, Black Diamond) in Jharsuguda or its adjacent industrial townships of Belphar and Barajarajnagar. This needs to be corrected. Following are some quick thoughts.

  • Branches of Sambalpur U and VSSUT should be established there.
  • Jharsuguda Engineering School should be upgraded to an engineering college.
  • One of the local companies, especially the ones mining in Ib, should be pushed to establish a medical college there.

Just outside Bhubaneswar, around 2,000 years ago, stood one of old India’s biggest cities: Sandeep Mishra in TOI

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Heritage sites, Historical places, Khordha, Sishupalgarh Bhubaneswar, Sites in and around Bhubaneswar Comments Off on Just outside Bhubaneswar, around 2,000 years ago, stood one of old India’s biggest cities: Sandeep Mishra in TOI

Following is from Sandeep Mishra’s recent article in TOI on recent excavations in Sishupalgarh adjacent to Bhubaneswar.

Just outside Bhubaneswar, around 2,000 years ago, stood one of old India’s biggest cities. When they chanced upon Sisupalgarh, excavators could only gape in astonishment at its modern ways 

Sisupalgarh sounds like a happening settlement by historic standards: a sprawling urban settlement that housed 20,000-25,000 people, street-linking gateways, pillared meeting halls, water storage systems and disposable vessels for daily use. In one of the richest hauls for archaeologists in the country in recent times, a 12-member Indo-American expert team discovered the remains of a city from the early historic period in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar two years ago. 

The team, comprising representatives from Deccan College, Pune, and the University of California, in collaboration with the ASI, had conducted surface excavations at the fortified site first reported by Prof B Lal in 1948. Fresh excavation was restarted in 2005 to learn more about this mystery city. A large quantity of debris, including household pottery and terracotta ornaments, were discovered during the exercise. 

Enthused over the findings, the head archaeologist of the excavation, Monica L Smith from the University of California, had then told TOI: "This is the most visible standing architectural monument discovered in the country so far. It is a huge city existing about 2,000 years ago." The pillars were possibly part of a gigantic structure and used for public gatherings. According to an archaeologist from Deccan College, Pune, R K Mohanty, a city could be known from its walls. "When it has such well-built walls and such a big expanse, it means it was a very important city," he says. Explaining the importance of the ancient city, Mohanaty says Sisupalgarh has four gateways and could have housed a large number of people (compare this to the 10,000 Athens could manage). From photographs taken through geophysical research methods, the team had found that a huge urban setup, a much larger area than could possibly be excavated, had existed at the site. "The findings were mind-boggling. The lifestyle of the people then could be more advanced than present-day life," Smith had said. "Potteries found are polished and have ownership marks. The huge number of cups and bowls suggest people then practiced a use and throw system." 

It is hard to say what sent Sisupalgarh into terminal decline. The data and findings when they will be made available to scholars could lead to a conclusive answer.

Read more: A city bigger than Athens? – India – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/A-city-bigger-than-Athens/articleshow/6270354.cms#ixzz0vvqrI6HJ

Status of Tata’s Gopalpur SEZ

Berhampur- Gopalpur- Chhatrapur, Ganjam, SEZs, Tatas Comments Off on Status of Tata’s Gopalpur SEZ

(Thanks to Future Berhampur for the pointer.)

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

… The SEZ will come up on 3585 acres of land acquired by Tata Steel. The company had acquired the land in mid 90s for setting up a steel plant. But with the project being shelved later, it had decided to use the land for setting up of a SEZ.

“Tata Steel has kicked off work on boundary wall construction and land leveling work in the first phase. The company has engaged 400 labourers for the SEZ work”, industries minister Raghunath Mohanty said in a written reply in the state legislative assembly.

About four km of boundary wall has been constructed and the work on remaining six km of boundary wall is underway.

“The company has taken possession of 2792.65 acres of private land and 792.64 acres of government land for the SEZ. It expects to complete boundary wall construction and land leveling work on the Gopalpur SEZ project by December 2010”, the minister added.

Oisha BJD MPs meet Mamata Banerjee on Khurda-Balangir line: Dharitri

Khurda Rd - Balangir (under constr.), Odisha MPs 5 Comments »

Planning commission has given in principle approval for an ITIR in Odisha

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, ITIR, Khordha Comments Off on Planning commission has given in principle approval for an ITIR in Odisha

Following is an excerpt from a report in expressbuzz.

Meanwhile, the Planning Commission has given in-principle approval for setting up IT Investment Regions (ITIR), in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Orissa. “We are seeking suggestions from other departments and respective state governments and over the next 3-4 months, we should be able to finalise the proposal,” Chandrashekhar said.


Pointers from the past:

Jain Steel, an obstacle to Jharsuguda airport: Dharitri

Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Jharsugurha, Jharsugurha- Brajarajnagar- Belpahar, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Sambalpur, Sambalpur-Burla-Jharsuguda, Sundergarh 1 Comment »

Bhubaneswar airport issue raised in the Odisha assembly: From Dharitri

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Bringing International Connectivity, Khordha 4 Comments »

Two Gas pipelines planned through Odisha: Surat-Paradeep, Kakinada-Howrah

Gas pipelines, IOC, Jagatsinghpur, Paradip - Jatadhari - Kujanga, Petrochemicals Comments Off on Two Gas pipelines planned through Odisha: Surat-Paradeep, Kakinada-Howrah

Following is an excerpt from a report in breakingnewsonline.

The proposed 1700 km Surat-Paradeep natural gas pipeline is expected to be completed by 2014 for which bid will be invited within a week. Out of the total length of the pipeline around 400 km of pipeline will be laid in Orissa.
“The union government will invite bid for the Surat-Paradeep pipeline within a week and the process will continue for minimum 6 months. The winning company would be given 36 months to execute the project and it will be executed with an estimated investment of Rs.12000 crore" L.Mansingh, Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory said.

Similarly under the ongoing 1100 km Kakinada-Howrah natural gas pipeline project around 434 km pipeline is being laid in Orissa. 

Speaking at a special interaction session organized by CII ,he said that total about Rs.76,000 – 84,000 crore investment is estimated to be required for setting up Petroleum & Natural Gas infrastructure in next five years. Of this Rs.60,000-Cr would be required for natural gas pipelines,15000crore for CGD networks and 9000crore for petroleum product pipelines.

The pipeline Projects will avail cooking gas at an affordable rate in the state. For this the Gas authority has tentatively  identified 9  growth locations i.e.Bhadrak, Khurda, Kamakhyanagar, Rourkela, Anandpur, Bhubaneswar,Jajpur, Balasore and Baripada for development of CGD network terminals. The CGD network would involve the distribution of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas for domestic and automobile and industrial use.

… He acknowledged that timely completion of these two projects is very crucial for the success of the proposed Petroleum, chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in the state.

Progress on food processing park and mega food park in Khurda

Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Business Standard, Food processing, Ganjam, Khordha Comments Off on Progress on food processing park and mega food park in Khurda

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

The Orissa government has allotted 110 acres of land to 55 industrial units for the proposed food processing park project being developed at Malipada in Khurda district.

“The food processing park would be developed on 162 acres of land. The state government has already allotted 110 acres to 55 units. It will invest Rs 9.9 crore on infrastructure development for this food park and out of this Rs 1.91 crore has already been deposited with the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa (Idco)”, said state industries minister Raghunath Mohanty.

Besides the food processing park, the state also planned to develop a mega food park at Khurda and the proposal is under the consideration of the Government of India, the minister stated.

The mega food park project, which is to be developed on around 200 acres of land, has the potential to attract investments to the tune of Rs 2000 crore. …

The government had roped in IL&FS as a consultant to help boost investments in the food processing sector. Tenders for this project were likely to be invited by August this year. …

Pointers to previous posts on this:

Jharsuguda airport status as per Odisha CM: from Odishadiary

CENTER & ODISHA, Jharsuguda, Jharsugurha, Jharsugurha- Brajarajnagar- Belpahar, Rourkela-Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundergarh 1 Comment »

Following is excerpted from a report in Orissadiary.com.

The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday informed the House  that  the Airports Authority of India has already agreed to develop Jharsuguda Airport to a full fledged one and for which the latter has also asked 815 acres of land free of cost.

… The Chief Minister  informed that the Authority considering the proposal of the State Government of developing Jharasuguda Airport to a full fledged Airport, has asked for additional land of 815 acres free of cost. However, a maximum of 734 acres of land is available near the Airport which includes 418 of Private land. So, the Authority has been requested to scale down their requirement of land through a reasonable estimate. They have also been asked to intimate a firm commitment to complete the expansion project of the Airport within a period of two years from the date of receipt of the additional land and a reply to this effect is awaited, he said.

Related postings on the topic:

 

National Waterways and Inland ports of India; Developmental work on NW 5 – that involves Odisha – yet to commence

National Waterway 5 Comments Off on National Waterways and Inland ports of India; Developmental work on NW 5 – that involves Odisha – yet to commence

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=63957.

Union Government through Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) develops inland water terminals/ports only on those waterways which are declared as National Waterways (NWs). Following five waterways have so far been declared as NWs:

 

(i)    National Waterway-1: Allahabad-Haldia stretch of the Ganga  Bhagirathi-Hooghly river in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.  

(ii)    National Waterway-2: SadiyaDhubri stretch of the Brahmaputra river in the State of Assam.  

(iii)   National Waterway-3:  Kollam-Kottapuram stretch of West Coast Canal andChampakara and Udyogmandal canals  in the State of Kerala. 

(iv)   National Waterway-4:  Kakinada-Pudducherry stretch of canals comprising ofKakinada canal, Eluru canal, Commamur canal, Buckingham canal and theKaluvelly tank, Bhadrachalam-Rajahmundry stretch of river Godavari andWazirabad-Vijaywada stretch of river Krishna in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry.  

(v)   National Waterway-5:   Talcher-Dhamra stretch of Brahmani-Kharsua-Dhamrarivers, Geonkhali-Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canal, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river and Mahanadi delta rivers between Mangalgadi and Paradip in the States of West Bengal and Orissa.   

Out of these NWs, developmental works including development of inland water terminals/ports are being carried out by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on NW-1, 2 and 3 only.  Developmental works on NWs 4 & 5 have not yet commenced.

 

Details of inland water terminals/ports developed on NW-1, 2 and 3 and the funds allocated for development/maintenance of IWT terminals/ports during 2010-11 are:

 

NW

Type of terminals / ports

Locations

Funds allocated for development / maintenance of terminals /ports during 2010-11

1.

 

 

NW-1

Fixed (Existing)

Patna                                                 (low level jetty)

 

 

 

Rs. 9.32 crore

Floating (Existing)

Haldia, Botanical Garden

(Kolkata),

BISN(Kolkata), 

Shantipur, Katwa,

Farakka,  Rajmahal, 

Sahebganj,

Bateshwarsthan, 

Bhagalpur, 

Munger, Semaria, 

Buxar, 

Ghazipur,Varanasi,

and Allahabad

Fixed (Under constr.)

Patna ( high level jetty)

and              

G R Jetty  ( Kolkata)

2.

 

 

NW-2

Fixed (Existing)

Pandu (low level jetty)

 

Rs. 9.10 crore

Floating (Existing)

Dhubri, Jogighopa, 

Tejpur, 

Silghat,Neamati, 

Dibrugarh and Sengajan

Fixed (Under constr.)

Pandu ( high level jetty)       

3.

 

 

NW-3

Fixed (Existing)

Kottapuram, Aluva, 

Maradu, 

Viakom, 

Taneermukham,

Trikkunnapuzha, 

Kayamkulam, 

Bolghatty and 

Willingdon Islands

 

 

Rs. 1.25 crore

Fixed (Under constr.)

Kollam

 

This information was given by the Minister of Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan in Lok Sabha today.

***

MC/MK