BS reported that TATA Steel's multi product Special Economic Zone at Gopalpur has attracted downstream investments in sectors like auto components, gems & jewellery, apparel, specialty chemicals, ores and minerals processing, logistics and warehousing and marine food processing.

This was informed by minister for industries, steel & mines and parliamentary affairs Mr Raghunath Mohanty in response to a query in the state assembly.

Mr Mohanty said that "The Centre has already granted in-principle approval for TATA Steel's multi-product SEZ at Gopalpur. Presently, boundary wall construction and road construction at the project site is going on. TATA Steel is developing an industrial park at Gopalpur wherein they will be building a 0.4 million tonne per annum steel rebar mill, 55,000 tonne per annum ferrochrome plant and 1.2 million gallons per day desalination plant at a cost of INR 1,000 crore.”

The industrial park has the potential to attract investments of around INR 15,000 crore.

Mr Mohanty also ruled out the possibility of returning land to the farmers at Gopalpur since the state government had already approved the proposal to set up the multi-product SEZ.

The minister said, 2,243 acres of private land and 527 acres of government land have already been acquired for the SEZ.

(Sourced from BS)