Moving a step forward towards starting its operation in India, world?s largest steel producer Arcelor Mittal has identified 8,000 acres in Orissa for its proposed 12-million-tonne plant.
The company has also identified three coal blocks to produce 1,500 mw power required for steel production. ?We have identified 8,000 acres in Orissa. The lands comprises of both government and private land and the process of land acquisition is likely to begin shortly,? Nicola Davidson, vice-president, corporate communication, Posco, told FE.
The Rs 40,000-crore plant is likely to come up near Paradip in Keonjhar district.
Of the total 8,000 acres, 6,000 acres will be used for the steel plant, 1,000 acres for a power plant and the remaining 1,000 acres for an adjoining township.
Asked about how the company plans to tackle the tricky issue of rehabilitation and resettlement, Davidson said, ?We will broadly stick to the rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the state government. Additionally, we are in talks with some of the biggest consultants on rehabilitation.? However, she refused to divulge the name of any consultant.
The company also said the Orissa plant is likely to become operational before the 12-mt proposed plant in Jharkhand. The Jharkhand project is getting delayed as the matter of allocation of the Chiria iron-ore block is sub-judice.
Arcelor Mittal also hopes to get the iron-ore leases soon. The company requires 600 mt of iron-ore per year for its plant in the state. ?We are in talks with the state government and are hopeful of getting allocation for iron-ore blocks in the state,? Davidson added.