Unused industrial plots to be reclaimed, fresh allotments planned: Odisha Minister

In a strong message to landholders sitting on unused industrial plots, the MSME Minister Gokulananda Mallik declared on Sunday that land allotted for industrial purposes must be used, or it will be taken back.

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The Minister made this bold statement during a review of the defunct Ankuli industrial estate in Berhampur of Ganjam district.

Once a buzzing hub of over 60 factories employing hundreds of families, Ankuli Industrial Estate today stands mostly abandoned. Only four to five companies remain functional, while many plots have either shut down or been sublet, in violation of the original allotment terms.

The MSME department’s latest review has identified a large number of landholders in Ganjam’s Ankuli, Aska, Hinjilicut, Chhatrapur, and Auto Nagar localities who have not set up any industrial units despite acquiring land from IDCO years ago.

The State government now plans to reclaim such non-functional plots and reallocate them to serious investors.

Minister Mallik also emphasised the government’s plans to promote local industries such as cashew processing, stone carving, and handloom, aiming to generate more employment and boost indigenous products.

Steel & Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena has also supported the move, stating that reclaiming idle land is key to accelerating Odisha’s industrial growth.

“The Department officials have been directed to find out how many industries are running here, how many are defunct, and how many have not yet started on the allocated lands. The Department will submit its report within a month,” the MSME Minister stated.

“We have been asked to send field verification teams and ascertain if the industries which are located in IDCO industrial estates are inoperative now. Discussions will also be held with the industrialists concerned as to what sort of government assistances they need,” Ganjam District Collector, Keerthi Vasan V, told mediapersons.