Paradeep :- Under the leadership and guidance of JSW Utkal Steel President, Mr. Anil Kumar Singh, a significant step towards improving the socio-economic conditions and standard of living of communities in the three Gram Panchayats of Dhinkia, Nuagoan and Gadakujang, JSW Utkal Steel Limited has commenced implementation of village development works identified and prioritized through extensive consultations with local communities. During recent months, JSW Utkal Steel Limited conducted consultation meetings with communities across the three Gram Panchayats in Erasama Block of Jagatsinghpur district. Hundreds of community members, including women, youth and senior citizens, participated in the meetings held in villages and hamlets including Dhinkia, Mahala, Patana, Gobindpur, Nuagoan, Gadakujang, Nolia Sahi and Polang, among others. During these consultations, community members identified a range of developmental priorities, including construction and improvement of roads, community centres and SHG meeting halls; construction of drainage channels; livelihood development support; repair and renovation of existing community structures such as Bhagabat Tungis; development of cremation grounds; improvement of healthcare infrastructure; and development of the culturally significant Shree Gundicha Temple at Gadakujang, among several other needs. Subsequently, in August 2026, the President of JSW Utkal Steel Limited Mr. Anil Kumar Singh convened a meeting with community representatives from the three Gram Panchayats and requested to prioritize the works identified earlier and suggest any additional requirements that may have been missed during the initial consultations. Based on the priorities communicated by the villagers, the development works have now been finalized for execution. As part of the initiative, JSW has also taken a community-focused approach towards providing local employment opportunities through these development works. Furthermore, it was decided that villagers will undertake development works specifically in their respective villages. The decision was widely appreciated by the community members, as it provides opportunities to a larger number of local residents while ensuring that the benefits of the development initiative reach the respective villages. In continuation of this commitment, a significant step towards improving rural connectivity was taken today with the commencement of construction of a 12-foot-wide concrete road in Dhinkia village, connecting Chagala Bardhan House to Baman Samal House. The road is a vital connectivity route for the residents of Ambabata Sahi in Dhinkia and serves as an important link for the community throughout the year. The existing kutcha road often becomes waterlogged during the monsoon, causing considerable difficulties for residents and affecting daily movement, transportation and access to essential services. Similarly, in Mahala village, construction commenced on the road connecting Kumar Malik House to Babaji Rout House. The road is linked to the main road of Dhinkia and is used by several households for their daily movement and essential activities. During the rainy season, the existing kutcha road frequently becomes waterlogged, creating significant inconvenience for the local community. With the support of JSW Utkal Steel Limited and JSW Foundation, these road development works have been undertaken to address the long-standing connectivity challenges and provide residents with safer, more reliable and all-weather access.
The inaugural ceremonies marking the commencement of the concrete road construction were held today in the presence of JSW Utkal Steel, Paradeep Vice-President Mr. Manoj Singh, CSR Head Mr. Abhijit Mohanty, Mr. Samarendu Patnaik of PR Department, CSO Mr. Shailendra Manjhi President of Dhinkai Jungle Committee Shri Nursingha Rout, Secretary Prasant Lenka, Mahala Maa Ramchandi Jungle Committee President Shri Anirudh Parida, Secretary Bharamarbar Sethy, various Jungle Committee Members of Dhinkia & Mahala Jungle Committee. The new road development works are expected to significantly improve connectivity and ease transportation difficulties faced by local communities, particularly during the monsoon. The initiative was warmly appreciated by the villagers. These road projects mark the beginning of a larger programme of community-prioritized development works across the villages of the three Gram Panchayats of Dhinkia, Nuagoan and Gadakujang. Further development works identified and prioritized through the community consultation process will be taken up progressively, with the objective of creating better infrastructure, strengthening livelihoods and improving the overall quality of life of the rural communities.
