The Hindu Business Line : TN wants public approval before clearing Tata project

Snapshot
State Government would send a team of Ministers and senior officials to conduct an open public hearing.
Tata Steel, according to the agreement signed with the TN Governemnt, will set up a desalination plant and a power plant.

Our Bureau

Chennai, July 30 The Tamil Nadu Government will hear public opinion on Tata Steel’s planned Rs 2,500-crore titanium dioxide project in Tuticorin before coming to a final decision, according to an official release.

Responding to objections to the project and the proposed acquisition of about 10,000 acres, the Chief Minister, Mr M. Karunanidhi, said that the State Government would send a team of Ministers and senior officials to conduct an open public hearing.

The project, for mining ilmenite and producing titanium dioxide, is expected to provide employment and help economic development of the southern districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin.

The State Government had signed an MoU for the project with Tata Steel in June.

Tata Steel officials said that the company was committed to the project and would await intimation from the Government.

The agreement provides for the company to set up a desalination plant and a power plant. The company will not use groundwater or water from the Thamiraparani river.

Tata Steel has also agreed to pay the market value as fixed by the State Government for the land, which is to be acquired by the Government from about 4,100 landowners in seven villages. No dwelling units will be demolished, nor will any agricultural land be used.

Only about 10 per cent of the soil would be lost due to mining and 90 per cent, the tailings, would be restored.

In the post-mining reclamation, the company is looking at ways to develop the land scientifically with the help of agricultural experts.

The local people would be given jobs and trained in various lines of livelihood, if not employed directly in the project.

More Stories on : Minerals | New Projects | Politics | Tamil Nadu | Tata Steel Ltd

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