By Our Correspondent
KOIRA/BHUBANESWAR: The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) and Sundergarh District Administration organized a public hearing on Wednesday to further environment clearance for the capacity expansion of JSW Gonua iron ore mines.
Over 2000 people from 10 villages like Patbeda, Koida, Malda, Ganua and others were present during the public hearing. Close to 60 speakers presented their views before government officials. Overwhelming response in favor of the company was ventilated by the locals. The hearing was concluded successfully in a peaceful manner.
The public hearing was conducted for Ganua Iron Ore Mines of JSW Steel for the expansion of the project by enhancement of 3.4086 million TPA along with screening and crushing 1000 TPH central processing unit over an area of 88.516 hectares as per DGPS.
Sundergarh ADM Shiv Shankar Toppo and Rourkela SPCB RO BB Dash were present to facilitate the public consultation.
Addressing the gathering, JSW Steel Mines Operations Head (Odisha) Biswaranjan Kumar Padhi said, “the company is planning to expand Ganua iron ore mines from present capacity 1.2 million tonne to 2.99 million tonne and this proposed expansion would create employment opportunity for around 800 local people in various capacities.”
“The company is also actively engaged in periphery development in and around the mines area. Solar street lights have been installed and public health issues are being addressed through health camps,” Padhi added.
Addressing the local concerns, he said, “We have noted all the demands and we will attempt to resolve them in a phased manner.”
Reports suggest that current annual steel production capacity in India is 12 MT, and according to the National Steel Policy, India is expected to produce 300 MT of steel annually by 2030. Of this, Odisha has the capacity to produce 125 MT of steel annually and JSW Steel aspires to play an important role in attaining this goal. The company aims to produce 40 MTPA steel in India by 2030, and Odisha would be central to this objective.
