Odisha Plans $14 Billion Petchem Hub, Indian Oil to Invest

15 May 2025 CW Team

The eastern Indian state of Odisha expects investments of Rs 1.2 trillion ($14.1 Bn) over the next ten years to establish a petrochemical hub near the Bay of Bengal. Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the country’s largest refiner by capacity, will contribute half the amount to set up a naphtha cracker facility.

The new complex in Paradip will include a dual-feed cracker and downstream units to produce phenol and polyethylene. Indian Oil, which already runs a refinery with a three hundred thousand barrels-per-day capacity in the region, has committed Rs 610 Bn to the project.

The state government aims to reduce petrochemical imports and position Odisha as an emerging industrial centre. Officials are offering incentives such as subsidised capital investment, lower electricity tariffs, assured water supply, and land near ports to attract global manufacturers.

Odisha is banking on rising demand for chemicals and India’s push for industrial self-reliance. Global supply chain realignments have created opportunities for the state to draw investment from overseas petrochemical firms looking to shift operations.

The infrastructure plan is designed to meet international standards and compete with industrial hubs in China and Southeast Asia.

Source:Bloomberg News

Infrastructure Urban

03 Apr 2026

Centre Disburses Over Rs 24,610 mn in XV Finance Commission Grants

The Union Government has released XV Finance Commission tied grants during the financial year 2025–26 to rural local bodies in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim and has released withheld portions of tied and untied grants to Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Tripura. The total disbursal exceeded Rs 24,610 mn, with figures expressed in million (mn) thereafter. The releases cover allocations pertaining to different financial years and aim to strengthen rural local governance. State-wise disbursements included Rs 3,324.6 mn for Punjab, Rs 9,432.7 mn for Madhya Pradesh, Rs 3,47..

Centre Releases Over Rs 15 bn as XV FC Grants to Rural Bodies

The Union Government has released over Rs 15 bn in grants recommended by the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in six states. The funds comprise tied and untied grants disbursed in FY 2025–26. Telangana received Rs 2.48 bn as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2025–26, benefitting 12600 Gram Panchayats (GPs). Uttarakhand received Rs 913.1 mn as the second instalment and an additional Rs 18.4 mn of a withheld first instalment was released to a further 216 GPs. Mizoram is included among beneficiary st..

Government Assures Fuel Supplies And Seafarer Safety Amid West Asia Developments

The Government of India has stepped up coordinated measures to maintain stability in critical sectors as developments in West Asia continue to unfold. It has prioritised uninterrupted energy supplies, safeguarded maritime operations and extended consular assistance to nationals. Central authorities are working with State and Union territory administrations to ensure timely information dissemination and operational continuity. Refineries are reported to be operating at high capacity with adequate inventories of petrol and diesel, and domestic LPG production has been increased to support consump..