Aditya Aluminium expansion project in Odisha gets public nod

By Mahendra Darjee

Lapanga (Sambalpur, Odisha), May 15: The proposed expansion of Hindalco Industries Limited’s Aditya Aluminium plant at Lapanga in Odisha’s Sambalpur district received strong public backing during a public hearing held on Thursday, with local residents and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives endorsing the project for its potential to generate employment and accelerate regional development.

The hearing was conducted in the presence of district administration officials, representatives of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), company executives and local residents as part of the environmental clearance process under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.

Villagers from Lapanga, Bomaloi, Derba, Khadiapali, Tileimal, Dharopani and nearby areas participated actively in the exercise and expressed support for the expansion proposal, highlighting the economic and livelihood opportunities expected from the project.

Company representatives informed that the expansion would be carried out as a brownfield project within the existing plant premises, ensuring that no fresh land acquisition, displacement, rehabilitation or resettlement would be required.

Speaking during the hearing, Haldhar Makar of Laumal village said the expansion would create new avenues for jobs and local business growth.

Sulochana Pradhan from Dharopani village under Bomaloi Gram Panchayat said the company had already contributed significantly towards women’s empowerment by creating livelihood opportunities for women and young girls in the area. She noted that many women without formal education had become financially independent through employment opportunities linked to the plant.

The proposed expansion aims to increase the aluminium smelter capacity from 6.8 lakh tonnes per annum (LTPA) to 9.0 LTPA, while the captive power plant capacity is proposed to be enhanced from 1230 MW to 1530 MW.

Jagannath Prasad Nayak, Unit Head of Aditya Aluminium, Lapanga, said the project is expected to generate employment for around 1,169 additional people, with preference to local candidates.

The company also highlighted its ongoing CSR initiatives across Sambalpur district, benefiting nearly 1.42 lakh people in 63 villages through programmes in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and livelihood generation.

Senior district officials, OSPCB authorities, PRI representatives and company officials attended the hearing, which concluded peacefully with enthusiastic public participation.

Photograph: Public hearing for the proposed expansion of Hindalco Industries Limited’s Aditya Aluminium plant at Lapanga in Odisha’s Sambalpur district underway.