After Govt asks DM to identify land for project
A long unfulfilled demand of the denizens here for a mega steel project in the district after the pullout of the Arcelor Mittal is now going to be compensated after the State Government asked the district administration to identify a suitable site for a new steel plant recently.
This mineral rich district was recommended by different high-level committees since 1960 as the most suitable location for steel projects. Six steel companies had signed MOU in 1995 for setting up steel mills in different places in the district but not a single company finally turned up for various factors including lingering problems in getting land and other supports.
Companies like Arcelor Mittal, Uttam Galva and Sterlite Group had expressed interest to set up three mega steel plants in the district, but they subsequently pulled out following the Government’s apathy.
However, recently, the IDCO CMD, in a letter to the district Collector, has asked to identify and submit land details for a proposed mega steel project in the district for which the local administration is considering the sites which were proposed for Mittal in Patna Block and Sterlite in Sadar Block.
“We welcome the initiative of the Government and will be pleased to extend all public cooperation to the company which wishes to invest in the mega steel project,” said Kendujhar Progressive Citizens Forum president Dhrendra Rout. The members of Keonjhar District Citizens Forum, District Journalist Association, lawyers and other social activists have expressed positive views and expect that such industrialization will boost economic development of the backward district.