Posco India, which got clearance from the Union Environment Ministry to acquire forest lands for its proposed Rs 54,000-crore steel plant in Orissa, is non-committal about an early start of the project as it is yet to hear from the state on transferring the required land.
"It is alright that we have received the forest clearance. But everything depends on the state government for starting the work at the proposed plant site," a senior executive, who wished to unidentified told PTI here today.
Construction of the project was originally scheduled to start in April 2008.
Stating that 90 per cent or nearly 3,600 acres of the 4,004-acres land required for the project belong to the state government, while the rest remain under private control, he said the authorities are yet to hand over any land to them.
The state has so far transferred only 516.74 acres to the company through a lease deed.
"We are yet to acquire an inch of land at the proposed plant site near Paradip," he said, adding they cannot make any progress unless it is provided with the requisite land.
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However, Posco India general manager-external relations Simanta Mohanty had told PTI yesterday that the company got the clearance from the Union Environment Ministry on December 30 to acquire forest lands and is keen to start work soon.
"We are ready to commence work on the much-awaited project any day now," Mohanty had said, adding the foundation stone could be laid any day.