It is evident that there is a huge gulf between what Orissa is and what Orissa could be. To bridge this gap, Orissa's vast potential for economic growth has to be carefully nurtured and the natural resources have to be optimally utilised. The Tata Steel Limited realised this as early as the turn of the last Century. Thus began a wonderful "romance" in the last part of the 19th Century, which has stood the test of time and has blossomed over more than eleven decades.

Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata's dream of putting up a steel plant in India made him send a team of experts in search of iron ore deposits – the basic raw material for steel making. In 1904 after surveying Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa, this team led by Geologist P. N. Bose came across massive iron ore deposits in the Gorumahisani, Badampahar and Sulaipath region of the then princely state of Mayurbhanj (Orissa). Discovery of iron ore in Orissa was a critical factor in deciding that the first integrated steel plant in India should be located at Sakchi (Jamshedpur's original name). The then ruler of this state, Ramchandra Bhanj Deo, who granted the mining lease at very liberal terms, matched the vision of Tatas. The deposits were worked from 1911 to 1967 to meet the iron ore requirements of the Jamshedpur Works. Railway lines from the mines to Jamshedpur, roads, power connections, etc. opened up communications to this predominantly tribal area and the economic condition improved dramatically. Although the mines were closed in 1967 owing to depletion of the reserves with the facilities in place a number of small mines are still being operated.

Simultaneously, adequate deposits of flux were located in the state of Gangpur (which later became a part of the Sundargarh district of Orissa). The development of the flux deposits at Gomardih in the tribal belt of the Sundargarh district signaled the beginning of the economic development of Orissa. The dolomite quarry in Gomardih was initially worked manually and semi-mechanised mining operation began in 1976-77 along with a modern township at a cost of Rs. 200 lakhs. It still supplied some of the dolomite required by Tata Steel – Panposh dolomite quarry and Hatibari limestone quarry. These two quarries have since been closed and the lease surrendered to the Government free of cost. The camp in Panposh is being utilised by the Orissa Government for training national hockey players whereas, the camp in Hatibari is being used for training the staff of the Orissa Police Academy.

The initial romance between Tata Steel and Orissa is now a happy "marriage" solemnised by Tata Steel's continued involvement in the total development of Orissa.