Experts Call for Fast-Tracking Odisha’s Bauxite Mining to Boost Atmanirbhar Bharat

Leading experts, policymakers, and social advocates have urged the government to take immediate and time-bound policy action to unlock Odisha’s vast bauxite reserves, calling it the missing link in India’s journey toward Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

At a national webinar organised by AIDENT and FIJEEHA, participants highlighted the need for rapid operationalisation of bauxite mines and downstream development. They stressed that with strategic reforms and collaborative efforts between the government, industry, and local communities, Odisha can drive India’s global aluminium leadership and strengthen its critical minerals ecosystem.

The discussion followed AIDENT’s White Paper titled “Mining Odisha’s Potential: Powering India’s Journey to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Prosperity,” which identified bauxite, iron ore, and coal as key drivers of inclusive industrialisation. Experts emphasised that unlocking Odisha’s bauxite reserves could generate 2.4 million jobs, support over 10,000 MSMEs, and promote local entrepreneurship, downstream manufacturing, and green industrial clusters.

They also called for a shift from raw mineral extraction to value creation through Green Aluminium Parks and Value-Added Clusters to enhance industrial resilience and export competitiveness.

Dr. Umesh Jena, Former Additional Director of Mines, Government of Odisha, discussed the urgency of expanding Odisha’s mining capacity to meet aluminium demand projected by Government’s Aluminium Vision. He said, “Delay in mine operationalization is depriving local population in remote areas to reap in the socio-economic benefits which come from the contributions of DMF, Royalty & Taxes which the exchequer earns from mining. Odisha must take the lead in operationalising bauxite mines. Time-bound expansion of mining capacity will ensure raw material security, reduce import dependency, and generate large-scale employment in mineral districts.”

The session focused on the Aluminium Vision roadmap released by the Ministry of Mines, which projects a sixfold rise in aluminium demand requiring production to expand from 4.5 MTPA to 37 MTPA and an investment of nearly ₹20 lakh crore over the next two decades. Odisha’s vast bauxite reserves were identified as the cornerstone of this growth, crucial to ensuring self-reliance, securing raw material supply, and reducing import dependency.

Dr. Dukhabandhu Sahoo, Associate Professor of Economics, IIT Bhubaneswar, highlighted that Odisha’s mineral strength gives it a defining role in India’s industrial future. “Despite Odisha having largest bauxite resources in the World, nation had to import bauxite worth ~ Rs.11,000 Crs in the last 5 years-resulting in loss to both local economy and remote area job creation. Strategic State Government Interventions in bauxite mining and downstream processing can transform regional economies and help Odisha achieve its goal of a Viksit Odisha by 2036”, he added.

Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Head, Department of Sociology, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, emphasized the importance of community participation in Odisha’s mining-led growth. He added, “Mining can be a catalyst for inclusive growth if it is accompanied by equitable rehabilitation, social infrastructure, and local capacity-building. Communities must be partners in progress, not just observers. State can act as a regulator and facilitator to expedite Public Hearings and Gram sabhas with trust of Local people to expedite existing mine expansions and operationalization of new mines.”

Deba Mohanty, Vice President, Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict, stressed that sustainable resource utilization must be at the heart of Odisha’s growth strategy. He said, “India’s aluminium demand is rising rapidly, but we must align mineral production with sustainability. Odisha’s resource strategy must balance industrial growth with environmental and social responsibility to build public trust.

Sanjeev Kumar, Regional Director, AIDENT, said, “Odisha is on the cusp of becoming India’s aluminium capital. Realising this potential requires collaboration between industry, government, and communities to ensure that resource wealth translates into long-term prosperity.”