A high-power Union Environment Ministry committee has recommended revalidation of the environment clearance granted in 2007 in favour of Posco India's proposed mega steel project in Odisha, official sources said.
Environment clearance to South Korean steel major Posco for a four million-tonne-per-annum (MTPA) steel plant had been granted in July 2007. It had only five years of validity and a revalidation was necessary for Posco to start construction work.
The revalidation was approved by the reconstituted Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry) at its meeting held recently.
"The committee recommended revalidation of the environmental clearance granted to Poaco (India) Private limited," the sources said. The committee also considered stipulated specific conditions including the recommendations given in the report of the K Roy Paul Committee while granting revalidation of environmental clearance.
The Environment Ministry had granted the final forest clearance approval to Odisha for diversion of 1,253 hectares of forestland for the Posco project in May 2011.