Odisha Unveils Steel Expansion Plan: Eyes 130 MT Output, 70% Iron Ore Share by 2030

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has presented a grand vision to make the state India’s steel hub with a huge capacity increase in steel production from the existing 41.21 million tonnes (MT) to more than 130 MT per year by 2030. Addressing the India Steel-2025 conference in Mumbai, Majhi referred to steel as the “mother industry” of Odisha and reiterated the state’s resolve to move from raw material extraction to value addition.

Currently home to 54 integrated steel plants and the country’s top producer of both crude and stainless steel, Odisha aims to supply 70% of India’s projected 340 MT iron ore consumption by 2030-31. In the last fiscal year alone, the state produced 178 MT of iron ore, 269 MT of coal, and 3.18 MT of chromite.

Majhi highlighted that Odisha contributes over 55% of India’s total iron ore output, with Keonjhar district alone accounting for more than half of that. Since 2015, the state has auctioned 44 major mineral blocks. Another eight with a reserve of 323 MT are going under the hammer, and another 22 by March 2026 are scheduled. The Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) too is going to ramp up production to 5 MT of iron ore by 2029-30.

The Chief Minister underlined the focus of the state on developing a healthy metal-based manufacturing ecosystem with an emphasis on attracting investments in engineering goods, transportation systems, mining equipment, and aerospace and defense hardware.

Odisha, he noted, is all set with land, infrastructure and policy incentives for investors Backed by massive infrastructure upgrades across railways, highways, ports, and power networks, the state is aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

Majhi also held discussions with top industry leaders from Dow Chemicals, Epsilon Carbon, Deepak Fertilisers, and S Kant Pharmaceuticals, among others, to attract investment beyond the metals sector, including chemicals and pharmaceuticals.