The new Bill on Land Acquisition approved by the Union Cabinet will be a huge setback for industrial growth in Odisha at a time when big ticket investors like Posco and ArcelorMittal are already struggling to procure land for their projects, industry experts said.

According to the new Bill ratified by the Cabinet, industrial projects would need consent of at least 80 per cent of the land losers. "The new Bill will be a huge setback for industrial growth in Odisha. There is already a big noise on land acquisition for projects proposed by Posco and ArcelorMittal. Should the Bill be passed, land acquisition will become all the more difficult for such projects and the projects will be pushed into further delay”, said Ramesh Mahapatra, president, Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (UCCI).