Bhubaneswar: A day after the foundation stone of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AMNS) was laid for its mega steel plant in Andhra Pradesh, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday criticised the BJP-led Odisha government, raising concerns over the fate of a similar proposed project in Kendrapara district.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the project on Monday.

Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, BJD Vice President and former minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said uncertainty now looms over the establishment of the AMNS project in Kendrapara.

He said the previous BJD government had signed an agreement with AMNS to set up a 24-million-tonne capacity mega steel plant in the district. Preparatory work, including land acquisition and development of rail, road and port infrastructure, had already begun following a visit by then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to Nippon Steel’s plant in Japan.

However, Nayak alleged progress has slowed significantly after the change in government.

“While the Odisha project was described as the world’s largest greenfield steel plant, the Andhra project is now being projected in a similar manner,” he said, expressing concern that AMNS may shift its focus away from Odisha.

Criticising the BJP government, Nayak said despite the “Double Engine, Double Development” slogan, it has instead put a “Double Brake” on the state’s growth.

He also cited several proposed investments, including the Jindal EV project in Cuttack, Welspun’s project in Choudwar, Waaree Energies projects in Dhenkanal and Angul, and semiconductor firms SRam and NRam, alleging these have either stalled or moved to other states.

Nayak accused the state government of neglecting industrial development and focusing instead on celebrations.

Senior BJD leader Sarada Prasanna Jena, who was also present at the press conference, demanded clarity from the government and urged the Chief Minister to make a statement on the status of the Kendrapara project as well as many contracted companies that have left the state.