Electrosteel Castings Ltd, a key player in the water infrastructure and pipeline segment, is facing significant delays in its ₹3,000 crore ductile iron pipe project in Odisha. The project, initially slated to accelerate the company’s domestic manufacturing footprint, is now expected to be delayed by 8–9 months owing to land acquisition challenges.
The plant, intended to support India’s growing demand for durable and corrosion-resistant ductile iron pipes in urban water supply and sanitation projects, has been stalled as procedural and regulatory clearances for land transfer continue to lag. Company officials have acknowledged the delay and are reportedly working with state authorities to expedite resolution of the pending land-related issues.
This development comes at a time when Electrosteel is actively expanding its global footprint. The company recently acquired Italian valve manufacturing firm TIS Service Spa, signaling its ambition to offer integrated solutions in the water infrastructure space across international markets. The delay in the Odisha facility, however, casts a shadow over the firm’s near-term domestic supply capabilities.
Industry observers point out that timely execution of such capital-intensive projects is critical, especially when demand for ductile iron pipes is being driven by government initiatives like Jal Jeevan Mission and Smart Cities. The delay could also lead to cost escalations, affecting the project’s return on investment.
Despite the temporary setback, Electrosteel Castings remains optimistic about its long-term growth prospects. The company maintains that the Odisha project continues to be a strategic priority and will be completed once the land acquisition hurdles are cleared.
Stakeholders have urged for policy reforms to streamline land acquisition processes for industrial projects to avoid similar delays in the future.
