HYDERABAD: The Telangana Government has decided to constitute a committee to study on the establishment of a Steel Plant in Bayyaram.
Under the 13th Schedule of the AP Reorganisation Act, the then Congress-led UPA government at the Centre made the promise of establishing a steel plant by SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited) by exploiting the iron ore mines available in Bayyaram and other reserve forest areas in the district covered with agency area.
At a review meeting with the officials here on Sunday, Industry Minister K T Rama Rao along with Energy Minister Jagadesh Reddy said that the Committee will be constituted with the Mines, Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (TSMDC), Singareni Officials, Energy and Industry Departments Principal Secretaries, besides consultancy services officials who are experienced in setting up of steel plants.
It may be noted here that the state government has taken a serious note of the Union government's decision not to establish steel plant at Bayyaram in the erstwhile Khammam district on the pretext of availability of inferior quality of iron ore in the district. The government has decided to counter Centre's arguments on the iron ore quality with documentary evidences, read the report
The minister also said that the committee will study the availability of land, water Coal and among others in the state and submit its report within a month. They have also agreed o bear 50 per cent of the cost to lay Railway lines from Bailadila, in Odisha to Bayyaram to transport iron ore.
"The government is making all efforts to establish a steel plant at Bayyaram as it would create jobs and opportunities for the state. We will move forward with or without the Centre's extended support", said the minister.