NALCO’s expansion project in Odisha is on course: Minister of Mines, India

Pralhad Joshi, the Indian Union Minister of Coal and Mines has reassured that the proposed preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the brownfield expansion project of Nalco’s captive power plant (CPP) and smelter at Angul in Odisha is on track.

In a recent letter to Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Steel who was seeking NALCO capacity expansion progress, on which Joshi said: “There is no change in the brownfield plans of the company.”

 "I have been informed that there is no change in the proposed expansion projects of NALCO at Angul district of Odisha. These projects are very much on priority. Preparation of detailed project report is underway and the company will do due diligence on their feasibility, based on the report," Joshi said.

"Ministry of Mines is taking all steps for implementation of the projects to achieve Prime Minister’s vision of Self-reliant India. The proposed expansion will be beneficial in the progress of the country and the State," the Minister added.

The Public Sector Company has planned to inject around INR 30,000 crore by 2027-28 on expansion and diversification. Around INR 22,000 crore will be invested on the expansion of the company's aluminium smelter unit from 0.46 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 1 MTPA and construction of a 1400-MW feeder captive power plant (CPP) in Angul.

However, Nalco's bauxite production capacity will surge from 7.3 mtpa to 10.5 mtpa after operation of its Pottangi mines, as over INR 7,000 crore have been secured for the 5^th stream refinery and development of Pottangi bauxite mines and Utkal D & E coal blocks.