The public hearing for expansion of TATA Steel operations held at Joda yesterday said to have favored the proposal. A t lease 86 persons spoke at the meeting attended by over 5000 people informed officials of the district administration.

Additional collector Keonjhar, Sangram Keshari Swain, member of pollution control board Sohan Giri, Champua sub-collector Manish Aagrwal and other officers were present at the public hearing.

The company proposes to expand the capacity of Ferro- Manganese 0.0504 MTPA to 0.06 MTPA, add on a Silico-Managanese plant – 0.06MTPA, Sinter Plant 0.05 MTPA with a total investment of INR 185.5 crore.

The proposed expansion will not require any additional land as it will be within 47.13 acre campus of existing Ferro-Alloys plant of TATA Steel at Joda TATA Steel Limited (TSL) has been in the Ferro Manganese business for last 54 years.

Ferro Alloy Plant (FAP) at Joda was commissioned in 1957 to cater Manganese alloy requirements of TATA Steel works at Jamshedpur. Currently, TATA Steel sourcing its entire requirement of Fe Mn from captive plant. It has manganese ore leases in the Joda (Keonjhar) and Malda ( Sundargarh) area,in Odisha.

The additional 44.45 MVA power requirements for the proposed project will be met from the OPTCL while the water needs will be sourced from Kundrunala through Joda Central Organisation (JCO).

With regards to employment avenues, company sources said manpower required during the construction phase is around 500 persons. During operation phase, 114 Company Employees and 42 contractual employees will be recruited including management, skilled, semi skilled and unskilled workers.

It also provided details of the pollution control equipments, air pollution control measures etc. 15.6 acres of the total plant area will be utilised for green belt development.'

• [Editor:Sophie]