LAPANGA, 15/5: The public hearing for the proposed expansion of Hindalco Industries Limited’s Aditya Aluminium plant at Lapanga on 15th may witnessed overwhelming support from local people and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives, who unanimously endorsed the project, citing employment generation and long-term socio-economic benefits for the region.

Held in the presence of district administration officials, representatives of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), and members of the public, the hearing was conducted under the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006, for environmental clearance of the proposed expansion of the aluminium smelter and captive power plant.

According to participants at the meeting, local villagers from nearby areas including Lapanga, Bomaloi, Derba, Khadiapali, Tileimal and Dharopani voiced strong support for the expansion proposal. Many speakers said the project would create new livelihood opportunities for local youth and further accelerate development in the industrial belt of Sambalpur district.

Significantly, the company officials highlighted that the proposed expansion is a brownfield project to be executed entirely within the existing plant premises, eliminating the need for fresh land acquisition, displacement, rehabilitation or resettlement.

“The expansion will open doors for employment and business opportunities for local people. A resident of Laumal village, Mr. Haldhar Makar, expressed full support for the expansion of the Aditya Aluminium project. 

During the hearing Ms. Sulochana Pradhan of Dhaaropani Village under Bomaloi Gram Panchayat said, “We wholeheartedly support the expansion of Aditya Aluminium plant of the Aditya Birla Group, as it has opened up valuable employment opportunities for our community. Most importantly, the company has empowered women and young girls from our village — many without formal education — by providing them with dignified livelihoods. This has enabled us to contribute to our household income and lead a more secure and happy family life,”

The proposal seeks expansion of the aluminium smelter capacity from 6.8 lakh tonnes per annum (LTPA) to 9.0 LTPA and enhancement of the captive power plant capacity from 1230 MW to 1530 MW. 

Jagannath Prasad Nayak, Unit Head of Aditya Aluminium, Lapanga informed that the project would generate employment for around 1,169 additional persons, with preference to local candidates.

Beyond its industrial footprint, Hindalco Industries continues to drive community development in Odisha through extensive CSR initiatives benefiting 1.42 lakh people across 63 villages in Sambalpur district. The company’s interventions span education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and livelihoods, including Aditya Birla Public Schools, digital classrooms, libraries, science centres, remedial learning and competitive exam coaching.

In healthcare, Hindalco runs nine dispensaries serving nearly 70,000 patients annually, along with Swasthya Vahini mobile health units reaching around 36,000 people each year. Livelihood initiatives include Project Unnati, supporting over 1,000 farming families, and Project Shakti, which empowers nearly 3,000 women through 268 self-help groups.

A key initiative is the Aditya Birla Skill Centre at Baraipali in Sambalpur, launched in May 2024 to equip local youth with industry-relevant skills in electrical work, retail, fashion, financial services and consumer durables. Of the 333 enrolled candidates, 196 have completed training, with 146 securing jobs and nine starting their own ventures.

Senior district officials, OSPCB authorities and company representatives attended the hearing, which concluded peacefully with active participation from the public.

Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi, Additional District Magistrate, Sambalpur; Dr. Pushpanjali Panda, Sub-Collector, Sambalpur; Dr. S. N. Nanda, Regional Officer, OSPCB, Sambalpur; representatives of the district administration and various government departments; PRI representatives; senior district officials, OSPCB authorities, and company representatives attended the hearing, which concluded peacefully with active participation from the public.

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