There is serious public discontentment against delay in starting a titanium plant in Ganjam district.
According to information available, the plant, as per the MoU signed with the State Government on December 15, 2008, was to start the manufacturing within three years from the date of MoU, but it failed to set up the unit even after a lapse of seven and a half years.
The plant will be located adjacent to Indian Rare Earths limited. Hence, it is considered as a sensitive location from defence point of view and the company would depend on IRE to fulfill most part of its raw materials requirement. However, the company is not able to finalise its funding.
Its building structure is still under construction and the environment aspect of the plant also needs a review because of its possible chemical reactions.
The local residents have alleged that the company has acquired precious land both from public and private individuals at a throwaway price promising to generate employment opportunities for the people of Ganjam. Due to abnormal delay in starting the plant, Russia which had agreed to be partner with this firm has backed out, sources said.
Former Deputy Speaker and senior BJP leader Rama Chandra Panda demanded a thorough review and scrutiny of the reasons that led to the delay in starting the plant. Why the State Government is sitting over the matter in all these years without probing into the matter that led to delay, he questioned.
Notably, as per the MoU signed with the State Government, the Titanium Products Private limited, had agreed to set up a Titanium Complex in Ganjam district with an estimated investment of `1,150 crore within scheduled time of three years for commissioning and manufacturing facilities. Meanwhile, the locals threatened to start an agitation if the Government fails to start the titanium plant at the earliest.