Posco and Tata Steel to start work at Orissa
He said, " I have a feeling that two mega projects namely Tata Steel and Posco India will start their construction work by the end of June 2008".
While the South Korean steel giant Posco proposes to set up a 12 million tonne greenfield steel project at an investment of Rs 52,000 crore near Paradip, the Tatas are planning to construct a 6 million tonne integrated steel plant at Rs 15,400 crore at Kalinganagar.
Talking to the media persons after reviewing the progress of 8 mega steel projects coming up in Orissa, he said,Tata Steel has deputed a dedicated team of officials to take care of issues there. While the transit homes are being made operational, an environment of getting good will of the people is being created.
However, everybody including the government, local people and the company will have to co-operate in this matter, he added.
Regarding Posco India, the union secretary said, a major chunk of the total land requirement is forest land. Once the Supreme Court clears the forest diversion plan (FDP), there will be plenty of land to start the construction work. He expressed the hope that the apex court of the country will clear the FDP.
"By October-November land issues of some other projects will also be sorted out", he pointed out.
Stating that India turned the net importer of steel last fiscal, Pandey said Orissa is endowed with rich mineral resources.It has potential to produce about 75 million tonnes of steel per annum. By 2011-12, the state is poised to have 40-45 million tonnes of steel. It includes the production from Tata Steel, Posco, ArcelorMittal, Jindal Steel and Power, Bhushan Steel and Power, Essar Steel and Rourkela Steel Plant among others.
Regarding the progress of the ArcelorMittal plant at Keonjhar, the steel secretary said, the land acquisition will be complete by October 2008.
"The process has already started and the state government has agreed to examine its guidelines pertaining to the revenue matters", he added.
Admitting the delay in allotment of mines, he said, a plethora of litigation is coming as a setback. As there are a number of applicants for a particular mines, it also causes delay.
Regarding the Khandadhar mines, he said, all applications are being heard by the Orissa government and the process will be complete by end of May, 2008.