Khammam: Serious efforts are being made by the Telangana Government to set up a steel plant in Khammam district.
A team from the Steel Authority of India Limited visited Bayyaram, Paloncha and Kothagudem mandals on the request of the state government. They inspected iron ore availability in the district and the feasible place to set up the steel plant.
The iron ore mines are spread over 5,342 hectares in Bayyaram, Garla, Paloncha and Kothagudem mandals.
The Indian Bureau of Mines has estimated the value of ore at Rs 16 lakh crore. According to preliminary reports, some 18 million tons of iron ore would be available in these three mandals.
The team inspected three places — Velamanuru, in Paloncha mandal, Kunaram, in Kothagudem mandal and Bayyaram — for the project site. The plant requires 750 MW Power and 1.5 tmc of water to run the plant.
The Telangana government wants to generate employment in the state by setting massive industries. Some 10,000 people would get direct and indirect employment if the steel plant is set up.
The SAIL has been operating five steel factories in India, including Durgapur, Bokaro, Bhilai, Burnpur and Rourkela.
As per the details, a survey was conducted on iron ore in 1959 and later in 1974. As per the survey, a total of 12 million tons of iron ore will be available in these areas.
The previous government was not serious in setting up steel factory in this area, saying the iron ore available here is not of good quality one. The state government is serious about setting up a plant in the district to fulfil its poll promise.
Venkat Reddy, an official in the mining department, said, “There is every possibility to set up a steel plant by SAIL in the district”. He said the official team of SAIL that visited the district responded positively to it.
