Tata starts land acquisition for controversial Titanium plant

Madurai, Sep 4 (UNI) Amidst stiff resistance from various political parties, Tata Steel has commenced acquiring lands for its proposed Titanium Dioxide plant at Sathankulam and Tiruchendur in southern Tamil Nadu.

The project had evoked sharp criticism from the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key constituent of the ruling DMK-led DPA, and some other parties, stating that the project would render hundreds of people landless and affect their livelihood.

In a release here today, Tuticorin District Collector R Palaniyandi said Tata Steel had obtained copies of documents relating to 100 acres of land from patta holders and signed the agreements for acquiring the lands.

The company had set a target of procuring 1,000 acres by the year end to start setting up a desalination plant and factory, the release added.

UNI