The Road Ahead: Rs 18,000 cr steel plant, scaling up of iron ore mining

 

In case of Gadchiroli district, it seems that the present-day iron ore mining operations have unlocked its potential for investment. In addition to the current operations, the Government is set to allot some more iron ore blocks to bidders. Besides, a massive steel plant with proposed investment of Rs 18,000 crore is taking shape at Konsari. All these steps are likely to generate not only employment and economic activity but also some concerns vis-a-vis the Left Wing Extremism (LWE). Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, had not long ago (in October 2022) told mediapersons that investment of Rs 18,000 crore was proposed in a steel plant proposed at Konsari. The work is in progress.

 

A sponge iron plant, captive power plant at the site take the investment size higher. Besides, there are indications of additional investment, taking the total projected investment in Gadchiroli district to Rs 35,000 crore, which is massive, especially considering the fact that so far the district had assumed the identity of ‘no industry’ or ‘Naxal-affected and industrially backward’ area. While such a push is being given by the Government, there are proposals for allotment of new iron ore blocks in Surjagarh hills, in addition to the one currently in operation. The Union Ministry of Mines has identified Surjagad 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 blocks for iron ore mining. Earlier this year, in May, JSW Steel was declared a preferred bidder for Surjagad-4 iron ore block, and Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Limited as preferred bidder for Surjagad-6 iron ore block. As per the summary of the (Contd from page 1) mineral block, Surjagad-4 block near Edasgunj Meta has eight iron ore zones, while Surjagad-6 block is closer to Ramunkal. Surjagad-1 has nine iron ore zones near villages Angudra, Ramunkal Meta, Puske Meta, and Negal Meta. Surjagad-2 block has six iron ore zones at Gandhmaka Meta and two zones at Edasgunj Meta. Surjagad-3 block has three iron ore zones at Morgal Meta and one zone at Warshan Koti.

 

Apart from iron ore, limestone mine also is proposed at Devalmari and big businesses like Adani and Birla groups have evinced a keen interest in it. While the district of Gadchiroli is poised to take a big leap in mining and industrialisation, some concerns have emerged vis-a-vis LWE menace. In the recent past, reports emerged of the Maoists stopping the local tribals from going to work in the currently operational Surjagarh iron ore mine. The protests against the proposed new mines in the region are running at Todgatta for more than 150 days now. However, there is skepticism about these protests too. For, the police believe that these protests are ‘Naxal-sponsored’. Some time ago, CPI (Maoist) Bhamragarh Area Committee had issued a letter to people of Pursalgondi using a threatening language. While alleging that roads, bridges, police camps, mobile phone towers were being put in place as a precursor to starting mines at Damkondwahi, the Maoists had earlier asked the villagers to participate in the ongoing protests at Todgatta. However, as people did not heed to them, in this letter they accused the people of ‘receiving money’ from the ‘enemy schemes’. The Red terrorists threatened the people that if they did not participate in the protests at Todgatta, people would have to ‘part with life, house, land, farm’ and that they would be ‘tried in people’s court’ (kangaroo court of Maoists). Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli district, told ‘The Hitavada’ that the protests against new mines were ‘Naxal-sponsored’.

 

He said that there were evidences connecting a protester from Silger in Chhattisgarh to the protests at Todgatta in Gadchiroli district. This particular man was arrested in Chhattisgarh with Rs 6 lakh in denomination of Rs 2,000/- notes, and 11 passbooks of different banks, pamphlet of banned CPI (Maoist). Of the two persons arrested by Bijapur Police in Chhattisgarh towards the end of May 2023, one Gajendra Manglu Mandavi (23), a resident of Narsapur, was involved in Silger protests. The police claim that he was carrying cash for the protests going on for a long time at Todgatta. “For such a long-running protest, there has to be funding,” Neelotpal said. What could be reason behind the Maoists sponsoring the protests against the proposed mines? According to Neelotpal, the Maoists were trying to play with sentiments of local villagers in and around Damkondwahi hills by giving a false narrative that Damkondwahi mines were coming up even when there was no proposal of mining there at this stage.

 

“The Maoists are anti-development and did not want roads, mobile towers to come up. Hence, they have come up with this narrative that the Gatta-Mendhari road being built in the area is part of mining corridor for transportation of iron ore to Chhattisgarh, which is actually not the case,” he said. Dharmarobaba Atram, FDA Minister and carrier of the legacy of Atram royal family of Aheri, told ‘The Hitavada’ that mining was getting a boost in the district. “It will generate employment and increase economic activity,” he said. Asked about the protests, he said that people should not get misled by those opposing the projects. Though police station has been opened at sensitive locations like Gatta, observers said that security needed to be stepped up on Chhattisgarh side especially in bordering areas of Narayanpur district adjacent to Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, to create an atmosphere conducive to mining operations and subsequent boost to industrialisation and development. According to some observers, who did not wish to be quoted, boost to mining activity might be a game-changer as far as reducing the influence of Maoists on both sides of Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border is concerned. A concerted strategy with well co-ordinated positive and constructive action is needed on both sides, they felt. For mining and development of Gadchiroli district to go hand-in-hand, railway line connectivity project needs to be expedited to extend railway connectivity from 18 km patch in Wadsa-Desaiganj in North Gadchiroli to mining belt in southern part. As far as telecommunication connectivity is concerned, boost is being provided to deepening it with Jio and Airtel setting up network in remotest parts. The administration expects entire Gadchiroli district to have 4G connectivity in next six months or so. (Concludes) 

 

 

 

Since there are concerns over accidents in various villages due to increase in transport of iron ore extracted from Surjagarh mines to stockyard, LMEL has drawn up a plan for road repairs and construction. Besides, the State Government is mulling over a proposal for dedicated mine corridor. Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, had announced to mediapersons in October 2022 that a dedicated mine corridor would be created for transport of iron ore extracted from mine, and to tackle traffic congestion and to reduce resultant accidents due to transport activity involving trucks. How long will be the mine corridor and details regarding points of its start and end are yet to be out in public domain. But, Fadnavis had asked the administration to prepare a proposal regarding the mine corridor.

 

As far as LMEL is concerned, it has been working on repairs and construction of roads, said an official of the company without wishing to be named. The 93.3 km long road works worth Rs 135.83 crore are at various stages of completion. These works include Surjagarh mines main gate to Hedari zero-point road, Hedari village to Aldandi road repair, Aldandi-Etapalli Naka road, Etapalli-Allapalli road work, Allapalli Chowk to Nagepalli road work, Nagepalli to Lagam Naka road, and Ashti-Lagam road. Of these, the company official said, Allapalli Chowk to Nagepalli road work was completed. As far as proposed works are concerned, four works covering 47.5 km length are proposed at the cost of Rs 84.02 crore. These include 26 km long Yelchil-Muktapur bypass road involving cost of Rs 6.21 crore.

 

According to company official, 10 km road has been made motorable so far. The other three works include 3 km long Velgur Tola to Botlacheru section of Allapalli-Mulchera road involving cost of Rs 4.50 crore, 8.5 km long Botlacheru-Tanbodi-Khamancheru involving cost of Rs 15 crore, and 10 km long Bande Gate-Todsa road involving cost of Rs 4.31 crore.