AM/NS India Shifts Focus to Andhra Pradesh Amid Odisha Land Delays.

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS India), a prominent joint venture between the world's largest steelmaker ArcelorMittal and Japan's Nippon Steel, is reportedly re-evaluating its investment strategy in India, with a significant shift in focus towards Andhra Pradesh. This comes as the company faces persistent delays in land acquisition and other administrative hurdles for its previously announced 24 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) mega steel project in Odisha, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Instead of the Odisha venture, AMNS India is now accelerating its plans for a greenfield 7.3 mtpa plant in Andhra Pradesh. This project is projected to involve an investment of ₹55,964 crore and is slated for commissioning by January 2029.

Andhra Pradesh appears to be actively wooing the steel giant. Nara Lokesh, the state's Minister for HRD, IT, Electronics, and Chairman of the Group of Ministers on job creation, confirmed the swift progress made in facilitating AMNS India's investment.

"We are excited to have AMNS as our largest private investor in the steel sector," Lokesh told businessline. He highlighted the state's efficiency in the process, stating, "We have already provided provisional land allotment in a record span of 4 months from commencing engagement."

Furthermore, Lokesh indicated that Andhra Pradesh would be rolling out attractive incentives and benefits under its new industrial policies to ensure the timely completion of the project. "We will be rolling out incentives and benefits under our new industrial policies and ensure that the project is commissioned at the earliest,” he added, signaling strong governmental support for AMNS India's presence in the state.

This strategic recalibration by AMNS India underscores the critical role of streamlined administrative processes and timely land acquisition in attracting and retaining large-scale industrial investments in India. While Odisha was initially a frontrunner for a mega project, Andhra Pradesh's proactive approach appears to be swaying the steel major's investment priorities.