Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has confirmed that land acquisition for the proposed Keonjhar steel plant will commence soon, following the deposit of required funds by the company.

The project, a joint venture between India’s JSW Group and South Korea’s POSCO, will have an initial production capacity of five million tonne per annum (MTPA) and an estimated investment exceeding Rs 40,000 crore. Two land parcels have been identified—one near Taramakant and another at Patna in Keonjhar district.

Keonjhar, rich in iron ore reserves, has long been an industrial focus, and the new plant is expected to boost local employment and economic activity. This move follows a shelved POSCO project in Jagatsinghpur in 2017.

CM Majhi emphasised that the state government prioritises the project and has undertaken various development works, including national highway expansion. During his district visit, he reviewed government programmes with officials, flagged off ambulances, and launched a coconut collection vehicle for Maa Tarini Temple. The project is part of a broader push to revive high-value industrial plans under Odisha’s new government.