Aditya Aluminium’s Expansion Project In Odisha Gets Support In Public Hearing Exercise
“The expansion will open doors for employment and business opportunities for local people”: Haldhar Makar
LAPANGA (Sambalpur, Odisha): The public hearing for the proposed expansion of Hindalco Industries Limited’s Aditya Aluminium plant at Lapanga in Odisha’s Sambalpur district witnessed overwhelming support from local residents and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives on Thursday, with participants strongly backing the project for its employment potential and socio-economic benefits.
The hearing was conducted in the presence of district administration officials, representatives of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), company executives and members of the public under the provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, for environmental clearance of the proposed expansion of the aluminium smelter and captive power plant.
Residents from villages including Lapanga, Bomaloi, Derba, Khadiapali, Tileimal and Dharopani voiced strong support for the expansion proposal, stating that the project would generate employment opportunities for local youth and further boost industrial development in the region.
Company officials informed that the proposed expansion is a brownfield project to be implemented entirely within the existing plant premises, thereby eliminating the need for fresh land acquisition, displacement, rehabilitation or resettlement.
“The expansion will open doors for employment and business opportunities for local people,” said Haldhar Makar, a resident of Laumal village, while extending support to the project.
Sulochana Pradhan of Dharopani village under Bomaloi Gram Panchayat said the Aditya Aluminium plant had significantly empowered local women and young girls by creating livelihood opportunities. “Many women without formal education are now able to contribute to household income and lead more secure lives,” she said.
The proposal seeks to enhance the aluminium smelter capacity from 6.8 lakh tonnes per annum (LTPA) to 9.0 LTPA and increase the captive power plant capacity from 1230 MW to 1530 MW.
Jagannath Prasad Nayak, Unit Head of Aditya Aluminium, Lapanga, said the expansion project would create employment opportunities for around 1,169 additional persons, with preference to local candidates.
Hindalco also highlighted its CSR initiatives benefiting nearly 1.42 lakh people across 63 villages in Sambalpur district 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 active public participation.
