A public hearing for setting up of a new hot strip mill and three other units of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) was held here on Thursday, wherein mixed responses regarding the projects were received from different sections of the society.
Notably, the RSP proposes to establish a new hot strip mill (3.0 million tonne per annum), one beneficiation plant (3.3 MTPA), one pellet plant (2 MTPA) and expansion of existing special plate plant from existing capacity of 3000 tonne per annum to 15,000 tonne per annum. The RSP in its proposal has made it clear that no additional land, water would be required for these projects. The total cost of the projects is estimated at Rs 5419 crore.
The public hearing was held in presence of Sundargarh ADM RN Mishra and State Pollution Control Board Regional Officer SK Mahalinga.
locals, mainly displaced families expressed their discontentment over the RSP’s alleged negligence to their issues. They alleged that even after six decades of establishment of the plant, appointment issue to family members of the displaced persons is not resolved yet. Some other displaced persons lamented over lack of basic amenities in their colonies like Hamirpur and Tarkera area.
However, many expressed their support for the new project arguing that it would bring developments for the district and the State. BJD Raghunathpalli Town president Sudhir Sundaray, BJP Rourkela president Jagabandhu Behera also expressed their support.
The statements of all participants have been recorded and would be sent to the Ministry of Environment, said the ADM.