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‘No change in Posco unit site; size may alter’
If the South Korea Ambassador to India Kim Joong Keun’s statement is any indication, the proposed Rs 52,000 crore mega Posco India steel project to be set up near Paradip is to stay and would kickstart formal construction in the second half of this year notwithstanding protest over land acquisition.
Kim, who was on a two-day visit to the State, met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday and said, “Posco can start construction work of the steel project towards the second half of this year (2012-13).
Indicating that there is no question of shifting the project, Kim said, “If requisite land for the steel mill will not be available, we may reduce the plant size but the project will be set up in the earmarked site.” On the question of protest against the project in some villages, the envoy said, “South Korea being a democratic country, we respect the sentiments of the villagers.”
However, he clarified that Posco project would be set up excluding the controversial lands.
Kim also indicated that the issue of mining lease was under consideration of the Supreme Court. If the company would not get any favourable orders from the apex court, it would run the project by importing iron ore from other States and abroad.
If the South Korea Ambassador to India Kim Joong Keun’s statement is any indication, the proposed Rs 52,000 crore mega Posco India steel project to be set up near Paradip is to stay and would kickstart formal construction in the second half of this year notwithstanding protest over land acquisition.
Kim, who was on a two-day visit to the State, met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday and said, “Posco can start construction work of the steel project towards the second half of this year (2012-13).
Indicating that there is no question of shifting the project, Kim said, “If requisite land for the steel mill will not be available, we may reduce the plant size but the project will be set up in the earmarked site.” On the question of protest against the project in some villages, the envoy said, “South Korea being a democratic country, we respect the sentiments of the villagers.”
However, he clarified that Posco project would be set up excluding the controversial lands.
Kim also indicated that the issue of mining lease was under consideration of the Supreme Court. If the company would not get any favourable orders from the apex court, it would run the project by importing iron ore from other States and abroad.
