Odisha fast-tracks land acquisition, allocation for industries by putting citizens first; know how

The Odisha government is accelerating industrial growth by prioritising fair land acquisition and minimising displacement, ensuring communities directly benefit from development. Under its revamped strategy, landowners receive better compensation aligned with market rates, while rehabilitation packages and proactive community engagement reduce resistance.

The details in this regard were shared by Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries & MSME), in an interview with The Economic Times. In those talks, he highlighted that the state has expedited land allocation by streamlining processes and running activities ‘in parallel’ to avoid bureaucratic delays.

Sharma stressed the state’s focus on pre-mapped land banks and rapid due diligence. For instance, out of 145 MoUs signed during the Utkarsh Odisha conclave, land has already been handed over to 14 industries within 100 days, including Indian Oil Corporation’s (IOCL) naphtha cracker project in Paradip, where 800 of 1,500 required acres have been secured.

Land Pooling, R&R Colonies: Minimising Displacement

To address historical grievances, Odisha now employs land pooling in concentrated industrial districts like Khordha, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda.

Under this model, 55% of acquired land is reserved for villagers, ensuring they retain ownership of prime plots while industries utilise the remainder. For unavoidable displacements, the state constructs Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) colonies equipped with schools, hospitals, and housing.

Meanwhile, construction is underway on ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel’s R&R colony in Kalinganagar, while JSW Group’s township in Keonjhar will follow. Notably, IOCL’s Paradip project required no displacement, but the state still built low-income housing to bolster local support.

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‘30-50-100’ Policy: Guaranteed Timelines

Odisha’s ‘30-50-100’ policy ensures land allotment within 30 days for projects requiring up to 30 acres, 50 days for 50-acre plots, and 100 days for 100-acre zones.

This institutional reform, combined with district-level task forces, has accelerated approvals. For larger projects like steel plants, the state prioritises mineral-rich regions but avoids habitation zones to reduce relocation.

Recent successes include securing 5,000 acres for four major industries in three months, including expansions by JSW and Vedanta. Further, the oil testing for IOCL’s project is complete, with site development set to begin post-monsoon.

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Engaging Communities: Local Leaders as Mediators

The government collaborates with village leaders to build consensus, emphasising job creation and infrastructure development. In Jharsuguda and Sundargarh, this approach helped acquire land for port-linked industries while assuring residents of skills training and employment.

Sharma emphasised that direct dialogue has led to reasonable success, particularly in tribal areas where industrial growth was previously met with scepticism.

By aligning industrial needs with citizen welfare, Odisha is transforming into an investment hotspot without repeating past mistakes, while leveraging its mineral wealth for economic prosperity.