Despite the agitation against land acquisition in Bengal, the state government has acquired land for three steel projects in Purulia. At least two companies—Jai Balaji and Adhunik Corporation--have been handed over parcels of land for the projects at Raghunathpur in Purulia.
The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) today gave possession of 90 per cent of land in the first phase to Adhunik Corporation today. The company is setting up a 1.1 million steel plant, 1,125MW captive power plant and 1 million tonne cement plant. The total investment would be in the region of Rs 7,200 crore.
Mahesh Agarwal, managing director, Adhunik Corporation said, the land requirement in the first phase was 700 acres. WBIDC today handed over 505 acres while 661 acres has been acquired. The balance for the first phase would be handed over shortly. The total land requirement for the project is 2,324 acres. Jai Balaji has already got 1129 acres.
Basudeb Acharia, CPI(M) MP and a Purulia resident said, Shyam Steel would be given the first parcel of land in February, which is 315 acres of a total requirement of 1,100 acres. Shyam Steel’s steel project is also coming up at Raghunathpur.