Bhubaneswar: Worried over the snail's pace in land
acqusition for POSCO and ArcelorMittal projects, the Orissa government will on Friday review the progress of the two mega steel plants.
Both the steel majors have been unable to acquire an inch
of land when they together require above 13,000 acres in
different districts to implement about Rs 1 lakh crore
projects.
There is apparently none at the state owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IIDCO) to look after land acquisition for the mega projects and the post of its managing director has been laying vacant for last over six months, said a company official on condition of anonymity.
Both POSCO and ArcelorMittal have already deposited money
with IIDCO to provide them land for their mega projects, MoUs
for which were signed with the state government more than
three years ago, he said.
While POSCO requires about 4004 acres near Paradip in
Jagatsinghpur to set up the steel plant, the Mittals need
8,000 acres under Patna tehsil in Keonjhar district.
Both the projects are facing opposition from the local
people crippling land acquisition.
First Published: Friday, October 23, 2009, 08:45