Bhubaneswar December 12 2025: Odisha has mandated the fast-tracking of forest diversion proposals for 32 key infrastructure and mining projects to ensure timely project implementation.
The direction was given by the Additional Chief Secretary ACS Home, Forest Environment and Climate Change, Shri Satyabrat Sahu while chairing the third coordination meeting held today to resolve forest-related issues.
Additional PCCF Nodal Dr K Murugesan Officer on Special Duty and Special Secretary FE&CC Department Shri Lingaraj Otta OPTCL officials CCF Nodal A K Kar DDG GSI Chief Engineer NH Division Shri Virendra Singh RO NHAI all RCCFs and DFOs and senior officers of the User Agencies attended the meeting.
The Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) reviewed the progress made as per the timelines decided in the last coordination meeting held on 12.11.2025 on various projects.
In today’s review meeting, the ACS examined the progress and current status of 32 nos of key projects of the Central and State Governments and Private companies having forest issues listed on the PMG/PRAGATI portals as well as in the Dedicated Taskforce of the State.
Those projects are Capital Region Ring Road Project, Goru–Mahisani New Railway Line of South Eastern Railway, 4G-based Mobile Service Project of BSNL, Reliance Jio Infocom Limited, Exploration Proposal of the Geological Survey of India & Akharkata Mines of Kundal Goldmines Limited, Kalta Iron Ore Mines of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), 4 nos of Transmission Line Projects of OPTCL, Integrated Steel Plant Proposal of Kalyani Steel Ltd, Gandhalpada and Kalmang West Iron ore mines of Tata, Kedesala, Kendudihi North, Jhumka-Pathirposi, Pureibahal & Chandiposi Iron ore mines of Rungta, Sijimali Bauxite mines of Vedanta, Kuturmali and Balda Bauxite mines of Adani, Kotameta Limestone mines of Dalmia, Kusumdihi Iron ore mines of Trustline Mining, IREL mining project of Chilka division by Indian Rare Earth Limited, Netrabandh Pahar Iron ore mines of Bhusan, Dholtapahar iron ore mines of Kasvi, 5 HL Bridge of NH division, Odisha.
The ACS expressed satisfaction with the “substantial progress” achieved in projects for BSNL and RJIL related to OFC cable laying and tower erection. Similar headway was noted in OPTCL transmission line GSI exploration projects and three NHAI projects: CRRR-I CRRR-II and Cuttack-Kandarpur Road project. Wildlife-related issues were reported to have been sorted out expeditiously following a recent State Board for Wildlife SBWL meeting.
However the Director Mines & Geology informed the meeting that while the State Government has processed most mining projects timely they are largely pending for approval at the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEF & CC level. Projects awaiting MoEF & CC clearance include Kotameta Limestone mines of Dalmia Sijimali Bauxite mines of Vedanta and Gandhalpada Iron ore mines of Tata.
ACS Shri Sahu directed all Regional Chief Conservators of Forests RCCFs and Divisional Forest Officers DFOs to proactively act upon new and upcoming proposals giving top priority to forest diversion for critical infrastructure projects. Nodal Officers were instructed to monitor facilitate and ensure compliance at all stages to prevent unnecessary delays. User agencies were advised to submit all necessary documents maps and enclosures to concerned DFOs without delay.
Further the ACS emphasized strict adherence to set timelines and urged all concerned departments to work in close coordination. The Forest Department was also directed to proactively and expeditiously facilitate the submission of Forest Diversion Proposals by various industries that have signed MoUs with the Department of Industries.