ArcelorMittal picks Bellary

Bangalore
Dec. 3: The world’s largest steel producer ArcelorMittal, which received an overwhelming response from Karnataka to set up one of the biggest steel plants in the country, has zeroed in on Bellary district.
The steel giant which has commenced the ground work for the Rs 30,000 crore mega project had several rounds of discussions with Udyog Mitra, an arm of industries department and infrastructure development department in the last two days to discuss the modalities as well availability of infrastructure for the plant.
Sources in the industries department told Deccan Chronicle that the steel producer has so far surveyed 7 locations in the Koppal-Bellary-Hospet region.
“The company has shown keen interest in setting up a plant in the mineral-rich Bellary district. In the next couple of days the team will be surveying four more locations in the district. In all probability the plant is likely to come up in a area of around 4,000 acres near Hospet because of the availability of natural and human resources and connectivity. Apart from setting up the steel plant, the company may seek mining license to procure raw material. But nothing is on paper as the project is yet to be cleared by the state high-level single window clearance headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, to be held soon,” he said.
The investments by ArcelorMittal would also involve a co-generation power plant of 750 mega watt capacity. “They are yet to clarify on whether its coal or gas,” sources said.
The CEO of ArcelorMittal, India, Vijay Bhatnagar, Sudhir Maheshwari, member of the Group Management Board of the parent company and Sanath Mishra, CEO, Greenfield Projects, India, met top officials of infrastructure development department to discuss logistics and infrastructure on Wednesday.
A senior official of the department told this paper, “Two ports, one at Haldipur in Honnavar and the other at Tadadi in Karwar is being taken up by the government. While Honnavar port has been taken up on Swiss Challenge Method which is proposed by Mineral Export Limited (MEL), global tenders will be invited for Tadadi port. For rail connectivity, two lines between Hubli and Ankola, and Talaguppa and Honnavar will be taken up. Apart from these two, NH 63 which connects Hospet and Karwar will be further developed,” he said.