THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KALINGANAGAR, OCTOBER 14, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated key manufacturing facilities at Tata Steel Kalinganagar and launched the expansion of Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL), involving a cumulative investment of Rs 9,067 crore and expected to generate 10,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The projects in Jajpur district include two continuous galvanising lines, a continuous annealing line, the first phase of a 7-million-tonne-per-annum (MTPA) slurry pipeline, and an air separation unit, alongside modernisation and capacity enhancement initiatives at NINL.

The investments are expected to strengthen Odisha's steel manufacturing ecosystem, enhance value-added steel production and improve raw material logistics, while supporting regional industrial development.

The two continuous galvanising lines at Tata Steel Kalinganagar have a combined capacity of 1 MTPA, while the continuous annealing line has a capacity of 0.9 MTPA. The facilities are designed to produce high-quality automotive steel, including coated Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS), catering to the requirements of the automobile and appliances sectors.

Equipped with advanced coating technologies, including a third-generation air knife with a magnetic stabiliser, an oxidation chamber and specialised secondary coatings, the galvanising lines are expected to improve product consistency and reliability.

The continuous annealing line, designed to meet evolving automotive industry requirements, will further strengthen Tata Steel's capability to manufacture precision-engineered, value-added steel products for the domestic market.

The first phase of the 7 MTPA slurry pipeline will transport iron ore fines from the company's Kalamang mine to its Kalinganagar plant through an underground network. The project is expected to ensure a steady supply of raw materials, reduce pressure on road and rail infrastructure and lower transportation-related emissions.

A new air separation unit set up by Linde India Ltd for Tata Steel Kalinganagar was also inaugurated. The facility, with two units of 1,800 tonnes per day each, will produce 3,600 tonnes of oxygen, 1,940 tonnes of nitrogen and 120 tonnes of argon daily through cryogenic distillation.

Oxygen from the facility can also be used for medical purposes during emergencies, while the unit will support the steel plant's continuous and efficient operations.

The NINL expansion project will focus on modernisation and technological upgrades, incorporating measures aimed at improving environmental performance. These include a blast furnace fume extraction system and zero-effluent-discharge measures to support more sustainable steelmaking operations.

The projects form part of Tata Steel's broader investment strategy to expand manufacturing capabilities, improve operational efficiency and integrate sustainability measures into its steel production network in Odisha.

The company said its approach also encompasses low-carbon technologies, circular resource management and corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at supporting inclusive community development and long-term socio-economic growth.

Among those present at the inauguration were Jajpur MP Rabindra Narayan Behera, Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, and MLAs Himanshu Sekhar Sahoo, Akash Dasnayak and Amar Kumar Nayak.

Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, Jajpur District Magistrate Ambar Kumar Kar and Tata Steel Vice President (Engineering and Projects) Akshay Khullar were also present, along with senior officials of Tata Steel and NINL.