Bhubaneswar, July 21: Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group today unveiled a grand spending plan of over Rs 60,000 crore in Orissa, which included an investment blueprint for the world`s largest pithead thermal power plant. The 12,000 mw coal-fired plant is expected to be set up at Hirma in Jharsuguda district in phases, ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani told reporters at the state secretariat here after a meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
"I have no doubt in my mind that Orissa with its coal reserves will be the power capital of the entire country. Over the next few decades, Orissa will have its rightful place (as a developed state) in India," he said. Ambani, who offered prayers at the Jagannath Temple at Puri earlier in the day, said the outlay for the power plant would be in excess of Rs 50,000 crore, while another Rs 10,000 crore would be invested for transmission and evacuation of the power generated. "It will represent the largest investment in power sector anywhere in the world," he said, adding a 4,300 mw coal-fired plant in South Africa was the largest thermal unit at a single location at present. ADAG`s spending plan is also the largest for any project by a group in the country and beats the Rs 52,000 crore investment proposal of South Korean steel giant POSCO and the Rs 30,000-40,000 crore steel plant plan of Mittal Steel -- both in Orissa. Besides Rs 60,000 crore for the power plant and allied works, the group would be investing in a health city, IT and IT related infrastructure in the state. The health city would comprise a hospital and infrastructure for medical education and research near the capital city, he said.Ambani said his company proposed to invest Rs 1,000 crore separately for communication and IT sector and another Rs 500 crore in the health sector. The company would first set up a 4,000 mw plant at Hirma which would be progressively expanded by adding 1,000 mw to the capacity. "This will be the engine of growth and catalyst for future industrial development... I am looking forward to working with the Orissa government," Ambani said. Asked to outline a timeframe for the Hirma Project, he said as the basic approvals including environmental clearance would take time, the work is expected to begin within six to 12 months. It would require about four to five years to set up the 4,000 mw plant. "No one has attempted this so far and we are pursuing a fast-track approach." Replying to questions, Ambani said his company was committed to work within the policy framework of the state. "We need a converged path to reach solutions," he remarked. As regards the question of displacement, he said the government had a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement policy in place as also a policy on environmental protection. As regards the question of displacement, he said, "We will explain to the people. We will not be able to move forward without the cooperation and appreciation of the people." When asked why REL was not harnessing atomic energy for power generation as coal is considered a serious pollutant, Ambani said his company was awaiting amendment to the comprehensive Atomic Energy Act. "But India`s energy solutions need a multi-track approach and one single track will not help. We have to tap hydro, thermal, atomic, wind and solar resources to meet the requirement," he said. Replying to a question about Reliance Industries Ltd having struck gas in off-shore Orissa, which could be used to generate energy, Ambani said the discoveries could be for future use. "When it becomes commercial, a large portion will be available to us to convert the gas to energy," he said. Elaborating on its foray into the IT sector in Orissa, he said R-ADAG proposed to set up the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Communication Technology similar to one at Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat. The joint communique for the power project was signed by REL`s Director, Business Development, Jayarama Chalsani and state Government`s Energy Secretary Asit Tripathy. Chalsani and Health Secretary R N Senapati signed the communique on the Health Sector Projects and Group Director for R-ADAG Rajesh Tiwari and IT Secretary S N Tripathy signed the communique for the IT projects. The Chief Minister said Orissa had become the preferred destination for investment both from within and outside the country. While South Korean steel major POSCO had already proposed to set up a 12 million tonne steel mill with investment of Rs 52,000 crore steel project --- the biggest ever single FDI --- at Paradip, Mittal Steel is contemplating setting up a 12 million tonne project in the state, he said.
Anil Ambani worships at Puri Temple Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani (R-ADA) Group today worshipped at the Sri Jagannath Temple here on his arrival from Mumbai. Ambani drove to the 12th century shrine early in the morning amid tight security but had to wait as the huge doors of the temple -- The `Lion`s Gate` -- was not opened at that time. He returned after sometime and went inside the shrine and was present when `mangala arati`, a ritual held early in the morning, was conducted. Ambani worshipped the deities before leaving for Bhubaneswar. R-ADA Group Chief had touched down in a private plane at the Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar past midnight and then drove straight to Puri.
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