In a bold move towards revitalizing Odisha’s industrial landscape, Industries Minister Shri Sampad Swain announced that a total of 35 large-scale industries across the state are currently defunct. Speaking in the state Assembly on Friday, Minister Swain addressed the pressing challenges these closures represent while also shedding light on the proactive steps being taken to revive these industries.
This announcement was made in response to a question raised by BJD MLA Manohar Randhari, with Minister Swain outlining the geographic distribution of these defunct industries. Keonjhar district tops the list with seven defunct units, followed by Cuttack with six. The impact is felt across other districts such as Angul, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore, which each have three defunct industries.
Welspun Group’s Major Investment: A Beacon of Revival
Minister Swain’s focus wasn’t solely on the challenges; he also highlighted the significant efforts underway to breathe new life into these defunct industries. A prime example of this progressive approach is the Welspun Group’s ambitious project to rebuild the Odisha Textile Mills (OTM) in Choudwar, Cuttack.
The Welspun Group, a globally recognized leader in the textile industry, is investing over ₹3,000 crore to develop an integrated textile park at the site of the now-defunct OTM. This project is expected to create thousands of jobs and establish Odisha as a key player in both the national and global textile markets.
“The revival of Odisha Textile Mills under the Welspun Group’s initiative is a testament to the progressive vision we have for Odisha’s industrial sector, This integrated textile park will not only revitalize the local economy in Cuttack but will also serve as a blueprint for the revival of other defunct industries across the state.”
A Comprehensive Overview of the Defunct Industries
The list of defunct industries spans various sectors and includes several prominent names. In Jharsuguda, for example, Action Ispat Ltd., Jain Steel & Power, and Shri Madhaba Ispat Pvt. Ltd., all involved in sponge iron production, are among the units that have ceased operations. Similarly, in Sundargarh, the sponge iron division of O.C.L. India Ltd. in Rajgangpur is also defunct.
In the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, Birla Tyres in Balasore and Polar Pharma India Ltd. are among the notable defunct units. Moreover, traditional industries like Konark Jute Ltd. in Jajpur and BRG Steel Co. Pvt. Ltd. in Dhenkanal have also closed their doors, marking a significant loss to the state’s industrial diversity.
List of Defunct Industries:
Here are the details of the defunct large-scale industries in Odisha:
1. Jharsuguda
- Action Ispat Ltd., Pandripathra
- Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Jain Steel & Power, Durlaga, Jharsuguda
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Shri Madhaba Ispat Pvt. Ltd., Siriapali, Jharsuguda
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
2. Sambalpur
- Rathi Steel & Power Project Ltd., Sikiridi, Pitapali, Rengali, Chipilima, Sambalpur
Item of Product: Integrated Steel Plant
3. Sundargarh
- O.C.L. India Ltd. (Sponge Iron Division), Jampali, Lamloi, Rajgangpur
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
4. Keonjhar
- Orissa Sponge Iron Ltd., Palaspanga
Item of Product: Steel Billets
- OMDC Ltd. (Sponge Iron Plant), Thakurani
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Shri Ganesh Sponge (P) Ltd., Kutugaon
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Deepak Steel & Power, Ulburu, Barbil
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Deepak Steel and Power Pvt. Ltd., Topadihi, Barbil
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Kalinga Iron Works Ltd., Matkambeda
Item of Product: CI Pipes
- Aditya Sponge and Power (P) Ltd., Dubulapal, Telkoi
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
5. Mayurbhanj
- Shivashakti Sponge Iron Ltd., Pandarsil, Sukruli, Mayurbhanj
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Sri Mayur Biscuits Co Pvt Ltd
Item of Product: Biscuits
- Nicco Industries Ltd., Hamilton Garden, Baripada
Item of Product: XLP & PVC Cables
6. Balasore
- Birla Tyres, Bampada, Chhanpur
Item of Product: Automobile Tyre, Tubes and Flaps
- Polar Pharma India Ltd., Somanathpur Ind. Area
Item of Product: Condoms
- B & A Multiwal Packaging Limited, Balgopalpur Ind. Area
Item of Product: Multiwal Paper Sacks
7. Cuttack
- Sri Hardev Steel Pvt. Ltd., Sunjamuhan, Gurudihatia, Athagarh, Cuttack
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Ballarpur Paper Industries, Choudwar, Cuttack
Item of Product: Writing Paper
- Biraja Steel and Power Pvt. Ltd., Suniamuhan, Athagarh
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Orissa Textile Mills, Choudwar, Cuttack
Item of Product: Fabric
- Maheswari Ispat Ltd., Rampei, Athagarh
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Libra Carpets, At-OTM Square, Choudwar, Cuttack
Item of Product: Carpet
8. Jajpur
- Tata Iron & Steel Company (Ferro Alloys), Bamnipal
Item of Product: Charge Chrome & Ferro Chrome
- Konark Jute Ltd., Dhinamandal, Jajpur
Item of Product: Jute Bag, Twain, Hassian Bag
- D.Nabandhu Steel & Power Ltd., Kalinga Nagar, Duburi
Item of Product: Power
- Visa Industries (Chrome Section), Golagaon, Panipal Sasan
Item of Product: Power
9. Dhenkanal
- BRG Steel Co. Pvt. Ltd., Kurunti
Item of Product: Sponge Iron & Captive Power
10. Angul
- Shree Metaliks Limited, Amalapada, Angul
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Ganesh Sponge Pvt. Ltd., Krushnachandrapur, Near Village Parjang, Angul
Item of Product: Sponge Iron
- Syndal Sponge Ltd., Sunakhani, Ekagharia, Talcher
Item of Product: Sponge Iron, MS Ingot and Bar
11. Bolangir
- Rishabh Mining (P) Ltd., Titilagarh
Item of Product: Granite Slab/Tiles
12. Rayagada
- Famechem India Ltd., Komtalapeta, Chandili, Rayagada
Item of Product: Wet Grounded Calcium Carbonate (WGCC)
13. Koraput
- Balapur Industries Ltd., Gaganpur, Jeypore, Koraput
Item of Product: Writing & Printing Paper
The Way Forward
The state government, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, is expected to focus on reviving these defunct units. The involvement of major industrial players like the Welspun Group in reviving Odisha Textile Mills is a positive sign, indicating that strategic partnerships could be key to revitalizing Odisha’s industrial sector.
However, the revival of these industries will require a concerted effort, including policy support, financial incentives, and infrastructural development. As Odisha looks to position itself as an industrial powerhouse, addressing the issues that led to the closure of these industries will be crucial for sustainable growth.
Conclusion
The closure of 35 large-scale industries in Odisha is a concerning development that calls for immediate action. Under the progressive leadership of Minister Sampad Swain, and with the support of strategic partnerships like that with the Welspun Group, Odisha is taking bold steps to rejuvenate its industrial sector. The state must continue to foster such collaborations and implement robust policies to ensure the sustainable growth and prosperity of its industrial landscape.
Prasanta Patnaik