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(Directs officials to fast-track approvals and ensure strict adherence to timelines.)
Monthly Coordination Meeting on Expeditious Processing of Forest Diversion Proposals for Infrastructure Projects
Bhubaneswar ,12/12/2025( Odisha Samachar / Rajat Mohapatra )-As per the mandate of Govt. of Odisha, the third coordination meeting to resolve forest- related issues and ensure expeditious processing of forest diversion proposals for major infrastructure projects of NHAI, Indian Railways, OPTCL, GSI, and Reliance Jio Infocom Limited, BSNL, SAIL, NH along with projects of Private industries like Kalyani Steels, Mining projects of Indian Rare Earth Limited and mining projects of private mines owners like Tata, Bhusan, Dalmia, Rungta, Adani, Vedanta, Trustline Mining, Akharkata was held today, i.e. 12.12.2025 in the Conference Hall of the Home Department under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department.
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 including: 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 Earthe Limited, Netrabandh Pahar Iron ore mines of Bhusan, Dholtapahar iron ore mines of Kasvi, 5 HL Bridge of NH division, Odisha. The ACS expressed happiness and observed that in all projects of BSNL and RJIL for laying of OFC cable and erecting of towers, substantial progress has been achieved. Similar progress has been achieved in case of OPTCL transmission line, GSI exploration projects, three projects of NHAI, i.e. CRRR-I and CRRR-II & Cuttack-Kandarpur Road project during last one month. It was further observed that PCCF (WL) has sort out the wildlife related issues in the projects expeditiously by holding the SBWL meeting recently. 
The Director, Mines & Geology informed that most of the mining projects are processed timely by the State Government and are mostly pending for approval at MoEF & CC like, Kotameta Limestone mines of Dalmia, Sijimali Bauxite mines of Vedanta, Kedesala, Kendudihi North Iron ore mines of Rungta, Gandhalpada Iron ore mines of Tata, Dholtapahar iron ore mines of Kasvi etc. The ACS expressed his happiness regarding the timely action taken by DFOs, RCCFs, Nodal office and Nodal section of FE & CC department. He further directed all RCCFs and DFOs to proactively act upon the new issues and upcoming issues of NHAI, Railways, industries and mining proposals of private companies. He directed all RCCFs and DFOs to fast-track the processing of forest diversion proposals for these critical infrastructure projects, giving them top priority, and to proactively clear all pending issues at their level. Nodal Officers were instructed to monitor, facilitate, and ensure compliance at all stages to avoid unnecessary delays. The user agencies were advised to submit all required documents, maps, and enclosures to the concerned DFOs without delay to minimize processing time. The Additional Chief Secretary further emphasized strict adherence to the timelines set for the processing of forest diversion proposals and urged all concerned departments and agencies to work in close coordination to achieve timely project implementation.
At the end the ACS advised that since Industries Department, Govt of Odisha has signed
MoUs with many industries, Forest Department shall proactively and expeditiously facilitate submission of Forest Diversion Proposals by various Industries like CA land identification, survey & demarcation, public hearings, etc. Today’s review meeting was also attended by the 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, CE NH Division, Shri Virendra Singh. RO, NHAI, all Regional Chief Conservators of Forests and Divisional Forest Officers and senior officers of the User Agencies participated.
