The State government has been relentlessly pursuing with the Union government at all levels for establishing a steel plant at Bayyaram as enshrined in the Statute during bifurcation of united Andhra Pradesh State to create a separate Telangana State.
This was stated by IT Minister K.T.Rama Rao in the Assembly during question hour on Thursday. As per the promise of creating Telangana State made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014 it was also stated that within six months after the GSI’s survey report, a steel plant would be set up at Bayyaram. A preliminary report submitted to the government indicated that the quality and quantity of iron available at Bayyaram was very poor. Out of 73 million tons of iron ore available at the site only 10 million tons are of good quality. Though 55 percent is considered as good quality, the iron ore quality is stated to be between 20 to 40 percent range, he explained.
Responding to various supplementary questions of members from all sides, KTR said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has been constantly raking up the issue of steel plant at Bayyaram with the Prime Minister during his meetings. Even he, besides the Chief Secretary and other officials, has been pursuing the matter with the officials concerned, he added.
KTR agreed with the contention of Congress member G Chinna Reddy that when in the neighbouring AP State Visakhapatnam could get a steel plant despite procuring the raw material from Chattisgarh 500 km away, Telangana is also entitled to get a steel plant. He said it was not necessary that the raw material should be available at the plant site. As a matter of fact, for the steel plant at Bayyaram, the government could procure iron ore from Bailadilla, which is only 150 km away, he observed.
Assuring that the State Government would continue pursuing with the Union government for setting up steel plant at Bayyaram, KTR also sought cooperation of the BJP and Congress parties keeping aside their political ideologies to help the State in getting the steel plant. The State government was prepared to cooperate in every way in the laying of a new railway line to Bayyaram, he added.
KTR further said even the State government was prepared to provide its share in the establishment of three million ton steel plant, which would help provide direct employment to 6,000 persons and indirect jobs to another 12,000. He reiterated that the State government would continue its efforts to get the steel plant established at Bayyaram at any cost. (NSS