Bhubaneswar, Oct 1 (IANS): Odisha is keen to create 50,000 acres land bank as various big ticket projects, including Posco, have faced a hurdle.

The Odisha government has identified eight locations across the state to create the 50,000 acres land bank for expeditious progress of projects in the state.

The government has identified land in Dhamra region in Bhadrak and Balasore districts, Paradip region in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur district, Bhubaneswar region in Khurdha and Nayagarh district, Gopalpur region in Ganjam district, Sambalpur-Jharsuguda region, Sundargarh- Rourkela region, Dhenkanal-Angul region and Koraput-Rayagada-Kashipur region, said a senior official of Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha Ltd (IDCO).

In these eight locations, several industries have already been set up, while many projects of Tata, Nalco, IOCL, Posco India, JSW, JSPL and Vedanta are proposed to be set up.

Since there is un-surveyed land in these regions, which can be utilised for creation of land bank, Chief Secretary G.C. Pati has advised all the departments concerned to record the land, said the official.

Many large and small companies are facing inordinate delay to set up their projects in the state following opposition to land acquisition.

Some like Tata and JSPL have begun construction of their plants in a phased manner on whatever area could be secured, while others like South Korean steelmaker Posco is still struggling to set up its project nine years after signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government.

Arcelor Mittal had to abandon its plan to set up a steel plant in Keonjhar district.

However, Odisha is still among the top three states in the country in investment attracted during the last decade.