Steel production dropped by 1.2 per cent last year, exports were 10 per cent lower and the growth in imports decelerated by 30.7 per cent. Union steel and mines minister Naveen Patnaik told the All India Re-rollers's Association on Tuesday that the only silver lining had been a 2.7 per cent growth in the apparent consumption of steel within the country. At an estimated per capita consumption of something like 22 kg, India remains one of the lowest consumers of steel in the world. ``Of course, this is nowhere near what we had expected,'' said Patnaik referring to the small, but definite growth in steel consumption. The apparent consumption of steel was estimated to have grown by barely one per cent during 1997-98, which too was a year marked by low demand, poor sales and sinking bottomlines of steel companies.

Govt may drop expressways if becomes unviable

The Union government is unlikely to go ahead with its ambitious expressway project unless the expectedtoll collection from the highways is up to the targetted levels, according to surface transport secretary R Vasudevan. "The per-kilometre cost of the expressways is estimated at Rs 10 crore. We will not proceed with the project if the traffic through and toll collection from the highways are not adequate and justifying," Vasudevan told reporters in Chennai. Feasibility studies for the project, envisaging widening of existing highways into four or six lanes, are currently on and a final decision on the project will be taken after the studies are through, he said.

TN seeks Centre's permission for tourism-related activities

Tamil Nadu has asked the centre to permit tourism-related activities along the state's 1000-km long coastline to help the state tap the immense investment potential, estimated at nearly Rs 1000 crore, state tourism minister N Suresh Rajan told the assembly on Tuesday.

Cuddalore port to be developed under BOT scheme

Cuddalore port in Tamil Nadu is to be developed byprivate entrepreneurs under build operate and transfer (BOT) scheme, state highways and ports minister TA Kritinan told the state Assembly on Tuesday. Replying to questions, he said two companies had evinced interest in the scheme and had submitted tenders.

PATA's India chapter wins award

The Pacific Asia Travel Association, (PATA), India chapter has won the award of excellence at the annual conference in Japan. The award endorses the successful run of the India chapter's tourism awareness programme. A number of Indian travel companies also won some prestigious awards from PATA at the annual conference held at Japan.