The industrial landscape of Paradip in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district is undergoing a significant transformation. Local communities, who had previously resisted large-scale projects, are now extending strong support to new investments. One notable example is the JSW Utkal Steel project, a Rs 65,000-crore initiative that has garnered widespread support from residents of nearby villages, including Dhinkia and its adjoining areas. Thousands of residents, including women, have come forward in favor of the project, marking a striking reversal from the days of opposition to the Posco Steel project.
The JSW Steel complex, with a planned capacity of 13.2 million tonnes per annum, will include a captive power plant, dedicated jetties, and allied infrastructure. The project is expected to drive economic growth, generate jobs, and strengthen human resources in the region. Local residents, who have traditionally relied on betel vine cultivation and subsistence agriculture, are now seeing the benefits of industrial development as a path to sustainable prosperity.
Women, in particular, are playing a crucial role in supporting the project. Many have benefited from JSW’s Sustainable Livelihood Project, which has provided them with training and employment opportunities. Minati Dalai, a young woman from Patana village, is one such example. She works as a security guard at the JSW Steel complex and has seen a significant change in her life. “I was sitting idle at home earlier, but now I’m able to support my family,” she said.
The company’s range of livelihood interventions has also helped families enhance their incomes and become self-reliant. These initiatives include training in paddy cultivation, seed and fertilizer support, livestock and horticulture development, and women’s empowerment through mushroom cultivation, tailoring, incense stick making, and spice processing. Local residents, such as Prabhat Rout of Patana village, are appreciative of these efforts. “These initiatives have helped families enhance their incomes and become self-reliant,” he said.
The shift in sentiment towards industrial development is a significant change from the past. According to Ranjan Bardhan of Gobindpur village, “At long last, people here see hope for lasting change. The establishment of JSW’s steel plant will not only drive economic growth but also generate jobs and strengthen our human resources.” Sisira Mohapatra, a septuagenarian from Dhinkia, also praised JSW’s efforts, noting that the company has been consistently investing in education, health, agriculture, transport, employment generation, women empowerment, environmental protection, and technological advancement. Overall, the support for the JSW Utkal Steel project is a testament to the changing attitudes towards industrial development in the region.