DPR for the mega steel plant at Keonjhar would be ready by June 2008

Bhubaneswar, Nov 16 (UNI) The Detail Project Report (DPR) for the 12 million ton integrated steel plantby Arcelor Mittal company in Keonjhar district would be ready by June next year.

Arcelor Mittal Group Management Board member Malay Mukherjee said here today that at least 70 per cent of the project report had already been completed.

An intensive consultation with the consultants was on and hoped it would be completed by June next year.

Mr Mukherjee was here to apprise the government of the progress of the project at a high level meeting with the Chief Secretary here.

After the meeting, Mr Mukherjee told newsmen here that the company was very satisifed with the progress of the project.

He said the Resettelement and Rehabilitation policy of the company was almost ready, adding, " The proposal will be submitted to the government after we get the clearance for land. " He said out of the 16 villages allocation of land had already been completed in four villages and the rest was going on.

He said the state government had set up a steering committee to suggest the steps the company should take and the steps the government should initiate to expedite the project.

Mr Mukherjee said the company had been allotted the Rampia coal bloc along with five other companies - Reliance, Sterlite, Nabbharat, GMR and Lanco.

A meeting would be held soon among the six partners to quickly start the project. The bloc was not fully prospected but initial report indicated that the deposit should be around 600 million ton.

The share of the Arcelor mittal would be 85 mt.

If the reserve increased, the share of the company would also increase proportionately, he said.

Mr Mukherjee said the company was looking at a number of alternatives, including the company's conventional method of exploration and prospecting, and at the same time looking for collaboration with existing mine holders, including the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation(OMC), for sourcing iron ore.

Mr Mukherjee said a ten-member team drawn from different plants of Arcelor-Mittal worldwide arrived for finalising the technology and specification of the plant.

He said the equipment for the plant would be ready soon.

Mr Mukerjee said the company was looking at all alternatives to ensure water for the plant.

He said there was no shortge of water in the state but water harvesting was needed.

UNI