Tata Steel gets green nod for Rs 1,877 crore expansion project

Tata Steel Ltd has received final environment clearance for its Rs 1,877 crore expansion project to be carried out at Jamshedpur Steel Works in Jharkhand.

"The Environment Ministry has considered the application based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry-I) and decided to grant environment clearance (EC) to the proposal for expansion of crude steel production at Tata Steel Works," a senior government official said.

The EC, which was issued on Tuesday, has been given to the company subject to strict compliance to specific and general conditions, the official added.

Among conditions specified, the official said the company has been asked to take prior permission from the state forest department on likely impact of the expansion of the proposed steel plant on the reserve forests.

It has been asked to develop green belt in more than 33% of the area within and around the plant premises according to the Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.

It has also been asked to earmark at least 5% of the total cost of the project towards corporate social responsibility.

According to the proposal, Tata Steel will expand crude steel production from 9.7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 11 MTPA at Jamshedpur Steel Works.

This additional production would be realised by augmenting the production capacities of few plant units, namely, sinter plant, pellet plant, steel melting shop and the mills, revamping of two existing blast furnaces and installation of a new lime plant.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 1,877 crore and this augmentation project would be taken up within the existing plant of 717 hectares and no additional land is required. Hence, there would be no rehabilitation and resettlement issues related to this project.

The company has said the existing raw materials supply sources would continue to act as raw materials linkages for meeting the estimated requirements for 11 MTPA expansion stage. The project would be completed in 2-3 years.

Tata Steel has manufacturing operations in 26 countries and employs around 80,500 people. Its largest plant is located in Jamshedpur.