Bhubaneswar: Experts on Monday identified the mining sector as a crucial catalyst for the state’s economic transformation, emphasising the urgent need for bold reforms to harness its full potential, during the unveiling of a white paper.
The report, ‘Mining Odisha’s Potential: Powering India’s Journey to Atmanirbharta and Prosperity’, highlights the state’s vast mineral reserves, including 35% of India’s iron ore and 59% of its bauxite reserves, positioning it as the backbone of India’s mineral security.
Former bureaucrat Jayadev Sarangi described it as a “now-or-never moment” for Odisha. “We must ensure that future generations inherit not just rich soil, but inclusive progress and enduring prosperity,” he said.
The white paper, prepared by AIDENT, a non-profit organisation, proposes a comprehensive roadmap for Odisha’s transition from a resource exporter to a value creator. It recommended immediate regulatory reforms, investment in mineral corridors and long-term positioning as a hub for green aluminium and steel production.
Experts outlined that despite its abundant resources, the state faced challenges including under-utilisation of minerals, procedural bottlenecks and inter-state wealth drainage. The report estimates that unlocking bauxite’s potential alone could create 2.4 million jobs and empower over 10,000 small and medium enterprises.
“This is not just a policy document, it is a blueprint for generational change,” said Sanjeev K Singh, state programme manager, AIDENT. The report also emphasises the social impact of mining, citing examples from Rayagada and Kalahandi districts where mining operations generated significant employment and funded essential services through the Rs 12,000 crore DMF corpus.
The timing of the white paper is crucial as Odisha’s economy currently outpaces the national average, supported by a development-focused govt aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of 100% value-addition, as outlined at the recent Utkarsh Odisha conclave and also under the leadership of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi.