Green Steel – JSW Begins Work on Major Rayalaseema Steel Project
Green Steel – Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday launched construction work for the Rs 16,350-crore JSW Rayalaseema Integrated Steel Plant at Sunnapurallapalle in the Jammalamadugu constituency of Kadapa district. The project is expected to mark a major industrial expansion in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region, with the steel unit planned to reach a production capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum by March 2028.
Steel Plant Planned in Two Development Phases
The JSW steel facility will be developed in two phases and is projected to generate more than 2,700 direct jobs after reaching full capacity. Naidu was joined at the event by JSW Group Chairman and Managing Director Sajjan Jindal and Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma.
Alongside the steel plant, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation for the JSW Neo Energy Solar Captive Power Project. The renewable energy project is intended to supply clean power to the proposed steel facility and support its green manufacturing model.
Renewable Power Project to Support Steel Operations
JSW Neo Energy plans to establish a 3,850 MW solar and wind energy network for the project, with an estimated investment of Rs 20,350 crore. The company aims to use the captive renewable power system to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and position the upcoming plant as a green steel production facility.
The State government is also working on supporting infrastructure for the project. A 15-km pipeline is being built from the Gandikota reservoir to provide 2 TMC of water for industrial use. Officials said the plant will also receive improved road, rail and port connectivity to support the movement of raw materials and finished products.
Industrial Park Inaugurated in Vizianagaram
During the programme, Naidu virtually inaugurated the JSW Industrial Park in Vizianagaram district. Spread across 1,166 acres, the industrial park has received an initial investment of Rs 531 crore from the Jindal Group.
The park is being developed with plug-and-play infrastructure to help new manufacturing units establish operations more quickly. The government expects the facility to attract companies from different industrial sectors and create additional employment opportunities in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Naidu Highlights Rayalaseema’s Long Wait for Industry
Addressing the gathering, Naidu said Rayalaseema had waited for more than a decade for the steel project to move beyond announcements. He alleged that earlier governments had held foundation ceremonies in 2019 and 2023 without starting construction work.
The Chief Minister said the present coalition government had taken steps to bring the proposal into execution. He also referred to the Kia Motors plant in Anantapur, stating that the unit had changed the district’s industrial profile since beginning operations.
According to Naidu, the Kia plant has produced about 19 lakh vehicles and exported more than 3 lakh cars to 90 countries. He said the State would focus on attracting industries that create jobs and retain economic benefits within Andhra Pradesh.
JSW Announces Wider Investment Plans in Andhra Pradesh
Sajjan Jindal said the JSW Group plans to invest nearly Rs 50,000 crore across multiple sectors in Andhra Pradesh. The proposed investments are expected to support more than 50,000 jobs, he said.
Jindal also expressed interest in examining opportunities at the proposed Tirupati Space City and Kurnool Drone City. He said the group would assess the potential for commercial deployment of its Shield AI defence drone technology.
Naidu further said pending rehabilitation and resettlement packages for families displaced by the Gandikota project would be addressed quickly. He announced plans to implement the Purvodaya Scheme by August 15, involving Rs 40,000 crore in public funding and an additional Rs 60,000 crore in private investment for a proposed Global Horticulture Hub at Madanapalle.