Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Group MD Rajesh Adani met Chief Minister Hemant Soren at the CM residence on Friday evening. During the meeting discussions were held on investment in Jharkhand and other issues. Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari and CM's Additional Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar were also present on the occasion.
In the two-hour long meeting the proposed cement plant in Godda and the coal block Gondulpada in Badkagaon, Hazaribag were discussed. Sources said that a total of 513.18 hectares of land has been marked for the Gondulpada coal block project located in Barkagaon of Hazaribagh district, out of which more than 200 hectares is forest land, for which compensation land is also to be given.
According to sources, a request was made to the CM regarding other clearances of the coal block project. A target has been set for coal excavation from Gondulpada in early 2026.
During the meeting the proposed cement plant in Godda was discussed in detail. Jharkhand's share of 400 MW power in exchange for the 1600 MW power being supplied to Bangladesh by the Godda power plant was also discussed. Adani said that he is ready to supply 400 MW power to Jharkhand from one of his other plants.
Sources said that the Adani group has requested the Jharkhand government for assistance in obtaining necessary approvals, particularly for the denotification of around 25 hectares of land required for a cement plant. This land is part of a 225-acre parcel acquired under the Raghubar Das administration within a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Since SEZ land is designated for specific uses, Adani Power has applied for denotification through the SEZ Commissioner after receiving the state government's initial approval.
The cement plant is expected to benefit both the industry and the environment. At present, the 1,600 MW Adani Power Plant in Godda produces large amounts of fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion that can cause severe pollution if not properly managed. By using this fly ash as a primary raw material for cement production, the new facility aims to significantly reduce environmental contamination.
This sustainable initiative will not only cut down on industrial waste but also contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly industrial ecosystem in the region. Instead of allowing fly ash to accumulate, repurposing it for cement production will help lower air and soil pollution, promoting greener industrial growth in Jharkhand.
The proposed cement plant, with a production capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and an estimated investment of Rs 1,200 crore, is expected to generate between 3,000 and 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, it will support Jharkhand’s industrialization and infrastructure development, foster a circular economy by recycling fly ash, and further strengthen India’s energy cooperation with Bangladesh, as Adani Power continues supplying electricity across the border.
This project marks Adani’s expanding presence in Jharkhand’s industrial sector, extending beyond power generation. However, despite its economic and environmental benefits, the initiative has sparked political controversy, particularly within the Congress party, which is part of the ruling coalition led by Hemant Soren. Some Congress leaders are wary of Soren’s engagement with Adani, seeing it as conflicting with the party’s national stance against large corporate expansions by conglomerates like Adani. A meeting between Soren and Adani has intensified speculation about a growing association, raising concerns that such ties could weaken Congress’s hold within the state government.
