Bhubaneswar: Corporate honchos and Odisha goverenment bureaucrats share ideas for accomplishing Viksit Odisha by 2036 & Viksit Bharat by 2047 at the one-day Conference held on Friday at KIIT University

OERC chairman Pradeep Kumar Jena graced the Conference as the chief guest. Odisha Industries ACS Hemant Sharma, Odisha State Finance Commission chairman Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, and corporate leaders such as Ardhendu Mohapatra, President of Corporate Affairs at Hindalco Industries Ltd, and Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, Ex-CMD of Nalco and Chairman of the organizing committee, shared their ideas.

In his address, Ardhendu Mohapatra highlighted the significant contributions of corporate investments to achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Odisha 2036. He shared that over Rs 40,000 crore has already been invested by Aditya Birla Group across sectors like aluminium, mining, cement, chemicals, and apparel in Odisha, generating employment for over 30,000 individuals, with more than 82 per cent of the workforce hailing from the state.

Looking to the future, Mohapatra detailed plans for further investments totalling Rs 50,000 crore, expected to create 15,000 additional jobs. The planned projects include a new refinery at Kansariguda in Koraput, an expansion of the Aditya Aluminium unit at Lapanga, and the establishment of FRP plants in Sambalpur District.

He also underscored the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in supporting regional development, pointing to the growth of downstream industries in places like Rayagada and Sambalpur. Mohapatra specifically mentioned the Utkal Alumina project in Rayagada and its positive impact on the local community, highlighting its role in improving economic and social standards in the area.

“The corporate sector’s efforts are not just about industrial growth, but also about empowering local communities and contributing to the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Odisha 2036,” he said, stressing the importance of a collaborative approach to development.

The conference provided an important platform for dialogue on how public and private sector partnerships can accelerate the realization of India’s and Odisha’s vision for a developed future.