Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the expansion project of Utkal Alumina Refinery at Kashipur in Rayagada. With this expansion, the production capacity of Utkal Alumina has been enhanced to 1.5 million ton to 2 million ton per annum.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Patnaik said, "The economy of Odisha is bouncing back from adverse impacts of pandemic and we are back to track. Investors are expanding their existing projects in Odisha in spite of impact of Covid pandemic. We have attracted investments to tune of over Rs 4.5 lakh crore since pandemic." He further said that State’s GST collection in July this year has also registered a 54 per cent growth during corresponding period of previous year. Speaking on positive role played by Aditya Birla Group in development of Odisha, the CM said that it has been a key player in Odisha's journey of industrial development. The Chief Minister wanted Aditya Birla group to guide their ancillary units and associates to visit State and explore more opportunities to invest in State. This will certainly help build an industrial ecosystem that will benefit all stakeholders through improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness, he added. Joining the programme through virtual mode, Chairman Aditya Birla Group Kumar Mangalam Birla said Odisha has emerged as the topmost investment destination for his group.