___________

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

Sajjan Jindal-controlled the JSW Steel group is planning to set up a Rs 2,000 crore port project in the Bhadrak district of Orissa.

Addressing the media, Sajjan Jindal, vice chairman and managing director, JSW Steel said, a place near Bhadrak district had been identified and it was right outside the border of West Bengal. The earlier plan was to participate in Bengal’s proposed deep sea port project.

… The proposed port in Orissa would have an initial capacity of 25-30 million tonnes and would take 3-4 years to execute the project. The port would handle large vessels and carry out dredging to increase the draft to 18.5 metres and would be executed by group company, JSW Infrastructure & Logistics.

The port would support import of raw materials and export of finished goods of the 10 million steel plants in West Bengal and Jharkhand.

This news appeared in many places (eg. Hindu) , but they all wrongly mention Bhadrakh district. The mouth of Subarnarekha and the district adjacent to West Bengal is Balasore, not Bhadrakh.

Following is from Sambada.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer.

Investment proposals worth Rs 1,825.61 crore were cleared by State-level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) here on Saturday.

The SLSWCA meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy, gave its nod to the Rs 900-crore investment project of Oceanic Shipyard Limited (OSL) along with two cold rolling mills with an investment of Rs 925.61 crore.

… IPICOL managing director Ashok Kumar Meena told the media that OSL, a subsidiary of Bengal Shipyard Limited (BSL), has proposed to set up an oil rig, offshore structure and a support vessels manufacturing and repairing unit at Dhamra in Bhadrak district with an investment of Rs 900 crore. BSL, a joint venture of Apeejay Shipping Limited and Bharati shipyard Limited, is setting up a shipyard at Dhamra with an investment of Rs 2,400 crore.

Meena said the company had asked for 950 acres of land at Dhamra to set up the facility in a period of 60 months in three phases from the date of allotment of land. The project would generate direct employment opportunity for 7,500 persons. As the net worth of the group is Rs 647 crore in 2006-07, there would be no problem of raising the funds for the greenfield project, added another official.

The proposal of the Bhuvee Profiles & Stainless Limited (BPSL) to set up a 0.790-mtpa hot rolled plates and coil rolling mill with an investment of Rs 492.66 crore at Kuranti in Dhenkanal district was cleared by the Authority, said Meena.

According to him, a sister concern of the BRG Group, BPSL would be the downstream project of the group. The company has asked for 90 acres of land, though the requirement for the project would be 45 to 50 acres, said an official.

Meena said the proposal of Rabirun Vinimay Private Limited (RVPL) to set up a 0.240-mtpa cold rolling mill complex at Kuranti with an investment of Rs 432.95 crore was also okayed.

Following is an excerpt from a report in the Statesman.

Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) offers the best rehabilitation package in the state, claimed company sources here recently. The company aims to reduce the impact of its activities on the environment, wherever feasible. The majority of the sites are certified by the international environmental management systems standard ISO 14001. This includes the requirement that environmental impacts are identified. There are ongoing programmes for improvement across key impact areas, they said.

Responding to the critics of its bauxite mining project at Kalahandi, Vedanta officials said that all 120 families that were displaced for the project have got pucca houses with round-the-clock electricity and water supply. Besides one youth from each displaced family has been trained and given a job in the refinery, adding that a total of 2,500 local people have found employment in the refinery project till date. “While about 2000 people had got direct employment at the refinery in Lanjigarh, over 2000 others were getting indirect income generating opportunities,” company sources said.

Vedanta has also started the ‘Sasya Silpa Abhijan’ an initiative of vegetable cultivation, run in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Sustainable Development to give a boost to agriculture in the area. “On an area of 550 acres of land, nearly 500 farmers are participating in the project as partners,” said a senior official. “Although we bear the expenses for irrigation through a diesel pump set by us, yet the training and support provided by Vedanta through this programme has helped us a lot,” said Mr Dinanath Pangi, a farmer.

Vedanta also offers various self-employment schemes for residents of the villages nearby and especially for the womenfolk. Women self-help-groups have been started under public-private partnership in collaboration with the district health department on the Swastha Parivar project. In a bid to widen its corporate social responsibility, the Vedanta group has also adopted 400 Anganwadi centres in Kalahandi district and will look after more than 40,000 children in some of the state’s most backward areas.

“Vedanta has signed an MoU with the state government and the Sterlite Foundation for the adoptions,” said Vedanta group spokesman Mr CV Krishnan. “As a part of the arrangement, every pre-school child aged between three and six years will be provided a cooked meal of 300 calories at noon. The company will also look after the health of the children through regular check ups and medicines,” he added.

He further said that the company is also undertaking the beautification of the Anganwadis by erecting green boundaries, whitewashing buildings and providing see-saws and slides for the children. Furthermore incentives are being provided to Anganwadi workers. While Anganwadi workers receive Rs 250 per month, each helper is given Rs 150 extra by the company. “The same exercise will also be replicated in Jharsuguda,” Mr Krishnan said. The total expenditure on child welfare activities in the two districts will be over Rs 15 crore, company officials revealed In order to ensure that everything goes as per plan, the process will be reviewed by a committee headed by the district collector, the local MLA and the chairman of panchayat samity, they said.

Mr Krishnan said that Vedanta further aims to improve the electricity network, construct roads and develop better educational and healthcare facilities.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pragativadi.

Laying the foundation stone for the Integrated Sewerage System for Bhubaneswar city at a grand function on Tuesday, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that all measures were taken by the state government to improve infrastructure of the city in an effort to provide basic amenities to people.

Speaking on the occasion, housing and urban development minister KV Singhdeo said that the detailed project report (DPR) of the project was presented to the ministry of urban development, Government of India, Japan Bank for International Cooperation and 12th Finance Commission of Government of India for funding.

Finally, after due approval by the H&UD Department, the project got the financial assistance from different sources, he said, adding, the sewerage system would be developed with the technical assistance from IIT, Roorkee at an estimated cost of Rs 754.23 crore.

… The sewerage system of Bhubaneswar envisages laying of 412 km underground gravity sewer for collection of sewage of each household and establishment throughout the city in uncovered area, replacement and renovation of all existing old sewers, construction of main, intermediate and lift pumping stations, construction of sewage treatment plants and construction of low cost sanitation units in the city area.

The new sewerage system has been planned by diving the city are into six sewerage districts that shall be provided with an independent sewerage network, pumping system, sewage treatment and disposal system.

The sewerage system has been designed for a projected city population of 22 lakh upto 2041.

The project area of 145 sq km includes all wards of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (except wards beyond river Kuakhai) and fringe areas covered under city master plan.

The project will ensure proper treatment of generated sewage in the city area with provision of modern treatment technology like Standard Activates Sludge Process.

The project will provide good and effective sewerage services to the urban population and will reduce non-point sources of pollution. Overall sanitation condition of the city will be improved.

The project has been planned to be implemented by 2011.

The sewer laying work of three districts via sewerage district- I, II and III has been awarded to the East Coast Construction and Industries Ltd, Engineers and Contractors, Chennai through a transparent system.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Business Standard.

The state government has decided to upgrade the Angul-Chendipada road keeping in view the scores of industries and mining projects coming up in the area. The cost of this road work is estimated at RS 150 crore which will be shared by the industries including the public sector Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL).

…

At present, there is a 51.5 km long single narrow road from Angul to Budapal. A blue print has, meanwhile, been prepared to double the width of the road. The road expansion works would be executed by the state works department, according to the Executive Engineer (Roads), Sanjay Sahu, here.

The project includes construction of a by-pass around Angul town to link up the proposed road with the NH 42 instead of jamming traffic in the town, he added.

As per the proposal, eight industries will contribute funds for the construction of 23 km long Angul-Kosala section of the road doubling work while MCL will bear the cost of next 17 km long road connecting Kosala to Chhendipada. The next patch of the road will be upgraded by another group of industries beyond Chhendipda.

However, the construction of Angul by-pass will be shared by these industries equally, Sahu added. The industries which will be funding the road project include MCL, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd, Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd, Kalinga Coal Mining Ltd, Tata Sponge, Rugta Mines, Utkal Coal Ltd and others.

Following is excerpted from a report in Pragativadi.

According to a preliminary estimation made by the Directorate of Geology, nearly 8 million tonnes (MT) of bauxite was reserved at Ushabali plateau in Kandhmal district. Estimation regarding bauxite reserve in Kandhamal district is preliminary. The volume of reserve could be more, an official said, adding survey work would be extended to nearby areas this year.

The Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) recently reviewed the mineral survey activities taken up the Directorate of Geology to find new reserve, particularly iron ore, which was in demand as the state had signed MoU for setting up of at least 46 steel plants.

The Directorate had completed survey of Hirapur area in Nabarangpur district for iron ore deposits and had also undertaken fresh surveys in Joda, Badbil in Keonjhar and Daitari in Jajpur.

Though the directorate had completed iron ore survey work by using drilling method at Tensa area of Sundargarh district, the findings were under study, sources said.

Similarly, the survey had also concluded that small diamond reserve could be traced at Dharamabandha and Nangalbod area of Nuapada district where the precious metal was found along with stones.

As per a report in Telegraph these routes are:

• Jaleswar – Kirtania on Subarnarekha
• Balasore – Chandipur on Budhabalanga (12 km)
• Rajnagar – Aul , Aul – Aetepur and Singhapur – Aul on Kharsuan (63 km)
• Rushikulya – Badanadi on Rushikulya
• Netapur – Pathna on Kushabhadra
• Kundhei – Siroi on Prachi
• Balabhadrapur – Nuagarh on Daya (9 km)

Following is an excerpt from that report in Telegraph.

The state government has initiated steps to conduct surveys to identify river stretches having the potential for detailed hydro-graphic surveys and detailed project reports.

Rail India Techno Economic Services (RITES) has been engaged by the state government for conducting the studies, …

As many as 13 rivers … were identified by the government for the studies.

Of them, a 12km stretch of Budhabalang, three stretches comprising a total of 63km in the Kharsuan and 9km of the Daya have been identified for further detailed hydro-graphic surveys and traffic studies to be conducted by RITES.

Also locations, for the provision of infrastructure, would also be identified in these stretches, officials said.

According to preliminary studies, the identified rivers have enough potential and economic viability to serve as an effective waterway.

RITES has, therefore, suggested the development of an inland water transport corridor comprising three stretches of the Kharsuan river from Rajnagar to Aul-Singhpur-Aetpur and extend it up to Jajpur along the Brahmani.

The body has proposed to develop another corridor on the Daya up to Balugaon on the banks of the Chilika lake.

At present, the state directorate of ports and inland water transports run passenger launch services in Chandbali, Chilika and Astarang.

Initiatives are being taken by the directorate to start motor launch service in reservoirs of major and medium dam projects.

A river project report for construction of jetties and waiting halls in navigational routes at a cost of Rs 5.34 crore, prepared by ocean engineering centre of the IIT, Chennai, has been submitted to Nabard for assistance under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.

Following is an excerpt from a news report in Financial Express.

The Centre has selected Bhubaneswar as one of the 40 ITIRs planned in the country. It will provide financial assistance for development of infrastructures required for the ITIRs.

The state IT secretary, PK Mahapatra, said the Centre has aksed the state government to prepare the DPR so that fund could be provided for developing the infrastructures of the ITIR.

The detailed project report (DPR) for the Bhubaneswar ITIR will be prepared by IL&FS Infrastructures Ltd in collaboration with the state-owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corp (IDCO).

The Centre plans to set up the ITIRs in line of the Petroleum, Chemicals & Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIRs) in the country to attract investment into the IT sector.

Mahapatra said the government has decided to put in place a new Information & Communication Tehcnologies Policy (ICT) in the state. The last ICT Policy was announced in 2004. The new policy will be formulated after studying the ICT polices of IT-advanced states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, he said.

The chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday reviewed the development taking place in the IT sector in the state at a high level meeting. The Infocity-II will come up at Jalna in the outskirt of Bhubaneswar over an area of 500 acres. A sum of Rs 150 crore will be spent for developing the new IT facility.

The government, meanwhile, has asked the IIT Kharagpur, which is preparing the master plan for the greater Bhubaneswar city, to ease the traffic for the Infocity-I. At the meeting it was told that the Software Technology Park (STPI) at Berhampur is going to be functional from the first week of September, 2008. Orissa has two STPIs at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. Another STIP is coming up at Balasore.

Following is some additional information on this from a report in Telegraph.

In April 2008, the cabinet committee on economic affairs had cleared a policy to set up ITIRs over a minimum area of 40sqkm each. The Centre last month confirmed the identification of Bhubaneswar as one of the sites for the proposed ITIRs, he said.

The ITIRs have been conceptualised as magnets for investment creating employment opportunities and growth in the area. They are expected to reduce the pressure on existing urban centres by enabling growth of new townships and dispersal of industry. The regions would be a combination of IT, ITES and electronics hardware manufacturing units, public utilities, residential area, social infrastructure and administrative services.

Every state government is supposed to ensure provision of physical infrastructure such as power, water, road, transportation, sewerage and effluent treatment facilities, the Centre is supposed to facilitate development of national highways, airport and railway links for ITIRs.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Times of India.

Venezuela’s national oil company PdVSA is in talks with IndianOil Corporation for taking up to 49% stake in a 15 million tonne refinery the flagship Indian refiner-marketer is building in Orissa’s Paradip at an investment of a little under Rs 30,000 crore.

“We have received interest from PdVSA. We are evaluating the offer,” a senior company executive, requsting anonymity, said on the sidelines of the 19th World Petroleum Congress here. “We want a partner not for money but for some value. In this case, PdVSA has said it can supply Venezuelan crude to the refinery. IndianOil would look at getting at least half, or 7.5 million tonnes, of Paradip refinery’s crude requirement from Venezuela.”
…

there are other factors that could work for the PdVSA deal. Venezuelan crude is one of the toughest to process and needs refineries with high complexity ratings. IndianOil has designed the Paradip unit to accept the toughest, heaviest and the dirtiest crudes. “Our refinery will have a Nelson Complexity Index of 15,” the IndianOil executive said. Reliance Petroleum’s upcoming export refinery at Jamnagar, which is billed the most advanced, is rated at 14. Besides, India offers strategic locational advantage from where exports can even happen to as far as the US.

Telegraph (kolkata) reported the following.

Laxmipur is a hamlet in the hills in the wild western part of Orissa. It was unheard of by tourists even a decade back. The launch of the 160 km-plus Koraput-Rayagada line put it on the map of those willing to go off the beaten track.

The new line branches off the Kirandul-Visakhapatnam route through the Araku Valley, covering Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh. The tracks were laid mainly for transportation of minerals mined in the region and development of tribals who populate the stretch.

The route, with numerous waterfalls and over 40 tunnels, is one of the most picturesque in the country. The 1.5-km tunnel near Tikri is the longest on broad gauge tracks in India. There are also more than 50 bridges.

At an altitude of 3,000 ft, Laxmipur is surrounded by thickly forested hills. The forest envelops even the station, which is 3 km from the village. It is deserted after evening, when wild animals often drop by.

According to the station master, a stray dog that lived in the compound was carried away by a leopard in front of his eyes. Bear, hyena, wild boar, neelgai, sambar and peacock are some of the other inhabitants of the forest.

Several streams gurgle through mango, jackfruit, mahogany, tamarind, sirish and akashmoni trees to merge with rivers like the Marbeguda, Apreboda and Godlam. There are several water bodies which are frequented by animals. Tribals constitute the only human presence.

Clouds stretching several kilometres hang over the hilltops from monsoon to winter. This has earned Laxmipur the epithet of Darjeeling of Orissa. Nights can be cold even in August-September.

Damonjodi, Kakrigumma, Tikri, Rauli, Lilligumma, Bhalamaska and Kentuguda are some of the stations near Laxmipur that are also known for their wild natural beauty.

The largest bauxite mine in India is at Damonjodi. Bhalamaska was named after bears that overrun the forest.

There are many places of tourist interest in the vicinity. Koraput, Kolaba, Gupteswar, Duduma and Chitrakoot and Tiratgarh falls are worth a visit.

Going

Howrah-Koraput Express touches Laxmipur. If you are staying at Rayagada, get off there. Cars are available on hire for the 60 km-plus journey to Laxmipur.

Staying

Rayagada and Koraput have plenty of hotels. Contact the divisional forest officers at Rayagada and Koraput for government-run accommodation. There are also a few lodges at Laxmipur, along the Rayagada-Koraput road.

NOTE: This region needs more advertisment, it has all the ingredients to be one of the best tourist distinations for nature, water fall and wild life lovers. Aditionally, the region is also popular for tribal tourism.

Following is from a PIB report.

Ministry of Tourism has taken the programme of integrated development of mega destinations and circuits further. During the first quarter of 2008-09 mega tourism projects have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.8474.20 lakh for development of the following 3 tourist circuits in the country:

1. Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Chilka Tourist Circuit in Orissa

2. Dwarka-Nageshwar-Bet Dwarka Tourist Circuit in Gujarat

3. Heritage Tourist Circuit at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh

The project for development of Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Chilka circuit includes development of interchange nodes, upgradation of protected/ unprotected monuments, development of parking/anchor points, upgradation of approach roads to monuments/temples, lighting of monuments/temples and creation of a multimedia museum.

The project for development of Dwarka-Nageshwar-Bet Dwarka as a mega tourist circuit includes development of beach area, development of parikarama path and lakes, repair and restoration of ghats, development of camping sites for eco tourism and development of a village haat.

The heritage circuit project at Tirupati includes construction of tourist arrival centres/tourist information centres, landscaping, street lighting, drinking water points, relaxation huts, public conveniences and children park with all amusement facilities.

These projects are expected to greatly enhance visitors’ experience in all the mega destinations.

Economic times report the following.

Ganjam district of Orissa ranking second in the country in implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), officials and local representatives from Chhattisgarh are on a visit to the district to learn mantras of perfect administration.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Statesman.

National aluminium company limited (Nalco), which was recently conferred with the prestigious Navratna status, has drawn ambitious growth plans involving massive investment of around Rs 40,000 crore in next five years.

… Sources said the second phase expansion is under implementation at an investment of Rs 4092 crore, which is scheduled to be completed by 2008 end. Even the plans are afoot for the third phase of expansion, which is likely to entail expenditure to the tune of Rs 6000 crore. Under this expansion,

• the bauxite mining capacity shall be enhanced to around 90 lakh tons,
  
• alumina refining to 30 lakh tons,
  
• aluminium smelting to 6.3 lakh tons and
  
• power generation to 1,700 MW per annum, sources said.

Among the green field projects,

• a mines and refinery complex is being planned in Andhra Pradesh. The project will involve an investment of Rs 7000 crore.
• Similarly, in Orissa, a smelter and power complex has been planned in Ib valley in Jharsuguda district at an investment of Rs 8,500 crore. This project envisages a smelter of five lakh tons capacity and a coal-based power plant of 1260 MW capacity. Pre-feasibility report has been finalised by EIL. Nalco has submitted an application for allotment of water resources to state government last month.

The new projects abroad included

• the proposed five-lakh ton smelter and a 1250 mw captive power plant in Indonesia.
• Besides, Nalco is exploring the possibilities of setting up a smelter and power plant in South Africa at an investment of around Rs 16,000 crore.

Also the company plans to set up

• an aluminium park in Angul, as a joint venture with IDCO.
  

• Similarly, it has entered into an agreement with Bharat Earth Movers Limited for the production of aluminium rail wagons. (Where ?)
  
• This apart, cement plant being another new venture for the flagship PSU, expression of interest has been invited from competent parties to set up a cement plant based on fly ash of Nalco’s power plant at Angul

Following is a an excerpt from a report in Steelguru.

Exim News Service reported that three port projects at Inchudi, Bahabalpur and Chandipur in north Orissa are awaiting a green signal from the union defense ministry.

Mr Jayanarayana Mishra transport & commerce minister of Orissa said that the state government is scouting for ways to avoid the restricted areas while going ahead with the port projects. He added that the state government would study the recommendations made by IIT, Chennai, on how to avoid restricted sites and develop the ports at places earlier identified by it.

Following is excerpted from a report in tathya.in.

• Bhusan Steels Limited’s (BSL) 6 million ton per annum (mtpa) project, which will entail investment worth more than Rs.15, 000 crore. BSL is setting up a 3.10 mtpa steel project at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district. The company wanted to expand its capacity to 9 mtpa, but HLCA allowed a 6 million ton capacity expansion. Bhusan Energy Ltd for 2000 mw thermal power plant at one go with an investment of Rs.8483 crore.
• Essar Steel Orissa Limited (ESOL)’s 6 million ton steel complex at Paradeep and 8 million ton iron ore beneficiation plant at Joda will entail an investment of Rs.10, 724 crore
• Welspun Power and Steel Ltd‘s proposal for setting up a 5 million tonne per annum iron ore beneficiation plant and 3 million tonne per annum pelletisation plant at Dhamra was also cleared.
  While the company had received approval for setting up of a 3 million tonne per annum (MTPA) steel plant at Tangi at an investment of Rs 6103.80 crore earlier, it proposed to set up a iron ore benificiation and 3 MTPA palletisation plant at Dhamra.
• SMC Power Generation Limited (SMCPGL) to expand capacity from 0.5mtpa to 1mtpa with an investment of Rs. 1366.18 crore was cleared.
• Increasing the capacity of MSP Metaliks from 0.26 mtpa to 1 mtpa with an investment of Rs.1205.80 crore received clearance from HLCA.
• 1000 mw thermal power plant by Monnet Ispat and Energy Limited (MIEL) entailing an investment of Rs.4107.04 crore.
• Jindal Photo Limited (JPL)’s proposal to set up 1000 mw in Angul district with an investment of Rs.4525 crore.
• Visa Power Limited (VPL) proposal for a 1000 mw power plant with an investment of Rs.3698 crore at one go.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

The Centre had accorded provisional approval to five, proposed petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment regions including the one being planned in Orissa and had asked if the state government would be investing in the project infrastructure.

The authority consented to invest Rs 2,700 crore on the infrastructure development, while the Centre and central public sector undertakings, including the Indian Oil Corporation, have already agreed to spend Rs 5,800 crore on this score.

In all, Rs 15,273 crore would be spent on the infrastructure development at the project site and on the periphery, official sources said.

According to the vision plan, the proposed region would be developed in an area spread over 250sqkm without any displacement. The areas concerned would be developed into modern “city villages”. The annual project turnover has been estimated at Rs 423,500 crore.

There would be a value addition of the petroleum-related products to the tune of Rs 43,000 crore and an equal amount in shape of export earnings. The total tax income has been estimated at Rs 42,000 crore, of which Rs 32,100 crore is expected to go to the state exchequer.

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

Another proposal submitted by Apeejay Shipping, the country’s largest privately-owned shipping company, and Bharati Shipyard Limited, one of the leading private shipyards, to set up a project in Orissa at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore was also cleared by the authority today. If and when the project materialises, it would be the first ship building and repair project in the private sector in eastern region.

Apeejay Shipping has a fleet of modern dry bulk carriers operating worldwide. An ISO 9001:2000 company, Apeejay Shipping is a part of the diversified conglomerate, Apeejay Surrendra Group, established in 1910.

The project is proposed to be set up in an area spread over 1,050 acres near the upcoming all-weather port at Dhamra in Bhadrak district at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore. The project would be implemented in three phases and completed by 2013, the sources said.

The greenfield project is expected to create an opportunity for direct employment to 11,300 persons and indirect employment to 40,000 persons.