Tatas to commission Kalinga Nagar steel plant in 2010

Tata Steel, which signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Orissa government on November 17, 2004, aims to commission the Kalinga Nagar plant by 2010. It also hopes to start the construction of the plant soon.

It however, will depend on the co-operation and support of the local people, H M Nerurkar, the Chief Operating Officer, Tata Steel, said here.

The company is facing resistance from local tribals for its proposed 6 million tonne per annum integrated green field steel plant in Kalinga Nagar.

"Orissa plant is very important for the future plans of the company and we wish to make it functional by 2010," Nerurkar said.

Responding to a question Nerurkar said, the company wants to build the plant with the cooperation of the people. If people come forward in support of the project then the company can start the construction in October.

Referring to the Kalinga Nagar plant, he pointed out that some families are still resisting the construction of the plant.There are some misunderstandings regarding the resettlement of the displaced families. Initiatives are being taken to sort out the problems.

"My collegues are working hard to sort out things there and within a short period of time we will succeed and build the plant," he said.

Dispelling the apprehension regarding the rehabilitation of the displaced families, he said that the company has the innovative concept ofTata Parivar under which every displaced family will be looked after for five years.

The company will also monitor the standard of living of the displaced families.

Importantly, this will be certified by the social audit. Besides, the Tata group as a part of its centenary celebration, will launch a major programme for the states that the company is currently operating.

This is going to benefit the tribal people of Orissa, he emphasised.

Speaking on a felicitation hosted by the Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) Nerurkar said, role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is very important in making the industrialization sustainable.

If you want to take people with you in the process of industrialization, it can be possible only with the SMEs, he observed.

Emphasizing on the importance of standards, he said, the Indian SMEs need to match the international standard for their growth.

Though difficult to achieve, the SMEs need to have that aim which can be achieved some day, he emphasised.

M V Rao, the president of UCCI delivered the welcome address. Among others Santosh K Mohapatra, CEO, Dhamara Port Company Limited, Niranjan Mohanty, the vice-president of UCCI and Debabrata Dash spoke on the occasion.