Bhubaneswar: The Aditya Birla Group will set up an alumina refinery at an investment of Rs 8,000 crore and an apparel unit for an unkown amount of investment in Odisha’s Rayagada district.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday vjoined the ground-breaking ceremony through virtual mode for Aditya Alumina Refinery (HINDALCO) and apparel unit to be set up by Utkal Alumina Social Welfare Foundation.

While the Alumina Refinery will be established at Kansariguda, the Apparel complex will be set up in Phulujuba village, both in Rayagada district.

Patnaik said the setting up of the two major projects " is not just an industrial milestone, it's a testament to the untapped potential that lies within our Odisha's natural resources."

He said the projects signify the beginning of a new chapter in Odisha's industrial landscape and the state's success in projecting itself as a preferable destination for investment in manufacturing.

Patnaik thanked the Aditya Birla Group for choosing Rayagada District for their industrial ventures.

He said the alumina refinery, with an investment of Rs 8000 crore, will significantly contribute to the state's economy by adding a substantial 2 million tons per annum of refined alumina from bauxite ore.

The Chief Minister thanked the people of Rayagada for their support for the industrial projects.

He said that both the projects will bring prosperity to Rayagada district and the district will be a bright spot in the industrial map of India.

On October 5 last, a Memorandum of Understanding was formalized with Hindalco Industries Limited to establish a long-term linkage for raw materials for the HINDALCO Alumina Refinery at Kansariguda.

The Aditya Birla Group has committed to set up an apparel manufacturing unit at Phulujuba village in Rayagada with a capacity to manufacture 36 lakh shirts annually.

This facility will create employment opportunities for 3000 local youths. This initiative focuses on maximizing the participation of women in the workforce, contributing to the empowerment of Rayagada’s local communities, Patnaik said.