Mittal`s Jharkhand survey nears close

The company has roped in Ranchi-based consultant Sigma to carry out land scheduling (survey) in Torpa-Kamdara blocks of Khunti and Gumla districts, where it has announced to set up the greenfield steel plant and a captive power plant. Land scheduling is the process by which companies get to know the complete details of land (on the basis of government's records) where they intend to set up their projects. Among others, the details include forest area, government and non-government land and places of religious and historical importance.

On the basis of land scheduling report, sources said, ArcelorMittal's consultant M N Dastur & Company, which has been appointed for preparing the project report for Jharkhand project, will guide the steel major in selecting the exact areas, to set up steel and power plants, besides a township. After a final nod to the land report, ArcelorMittal is likely to apply for land acquisition to the Jharkhand government.

The process for submitting application for acquisition of land for the proposed project may take about a month's time.

The steel giant requires around 12,000 acres for its proposed plants and township. Sources pointed out that successful completion of land scheduling process indicates that local people and the administration are cooperating world's largest steel producer.

ArcelorMittal had entered into an MoU with Jharkhand government on October 8, 2005 for setting up a 12 million ton steel plant in the state, with an approximate investment of Rs 40,000 crore.

The steel giant has been eyeing the Chiria Mines in Jharkhand to meet its iron ore requirement, which is pegged at about 600 million tons per annum after its steel plant reaches optimum production capacity.

State-run Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) and Jharkhand Government have been fighting a legal battle over the rights of Chiria for a couple of years. Of the 10 leases SAIL had in Chiria and Gua region, four are under dispute as the state government is refusing to renew them.