The West Bengal government has finalised the land rates for JSW Bengal Steel's 10 million tonne integrated steel plant at Salboni in Midnapore district. Biswadip Gupta, CEO, JSW Bengal Steel said production is expected to start from April 2011.Gupta said 4,500 acre would be required for the plant, and 4,000 acre would be taken from the government at Rs 1.94 lakh per acre - a rate fixed by the land and land reforms department. "We are expecting a government order on this to be issued this week," Gupta said.He said the remaining 500 acre would be acquired from private holders at rates varying between Rs 2.50 lakh and Rs 3 lakh per acre.The union environment ministry would hold a hearing in Delhi on August 17 on granting of environment clearance for the project, Gupta said adding that Jindal group chairman Sajjan Jindal would be present at the hearing.Replying to a question, he said the company had not faced any resistance from the locals about locating the factory at Salboni. "In fact, they are very enthusiastic in having the factory there."
