The Karnataka government, which signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with a host of big-ticket investors at the global investors’ meet (GIM) in June last year, has put on fast track the process of issuing clearances to a majority of them.
Of the 389 MoUs signed, 227 projects are in the various stages of their implementation. Already, 17 projects, involving an investment of Rs 2,000 crore have been completed in less than a year. For some other mega projects, especially in the iron and steel, cement, petrochemicals and energy sectors, the state government has initiated steps to issue various clearances in a time-bound manner, V P Baligar, former principal secretary, department of industries and commerce, said.
Some of the investment proposals taken up on top priority include ArcelorMittal, Posco, Bhushan Steel, Tata Metaliks, JSW Steel, Lafarge, Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd, Reliance Cementation Pvt Ltd, GAIL India Ltd, MRPL, Dynamatic Technologies, BEML, among others.
The acquisition of land is in their advanced stages of completion for the 6 million tonne per annum (MTPA) steel plant of ArcelorMittal in Kuditini and Harginadoni villages of Bellary district. The company is setting up an integrated steel plant, pig iron and pellet plant along with a 750 Mw captive power plant at an investment of Rs 30,000 crore. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has so far acquired 1,500 acres out of the 4,500 acres required.
The state government has allocated 40 million gallons of water to the company and the hydrological survey is under progress. A recommendation has been sent to the Central government for the allotment of mining licence in Donimalai region in Bellary.
Bhushan Steel has identified Gadiganur village in Bellary district for its 6 MTPA steel plant with 600 Mw captive power plant at an investment of Rs 27,926 crore. “The project area is located near the bear sanctuary. We are waiting for the Anil Kumble committee on wildlife report has been submitted to the Central government and the clearance is awaited. Once that comes, we will issue the final notification for land acquisition,” Baligar said.
Korean steel major Posco has identified Mundaragi taluk in Gadag district for setting up its 6 MTPA finex steel plant and 400 Mw captive power plants at an investment of Rs 32,336 crore. The preliminary notification has been issued for land acquisition.
Land acquisition for the construction of railway sidings for JSW Steel Ltd is in its advanced stages. The company is expanding their steel plant capacity from the present 11 MTPA to 16 MTPA at Toranagallu in Bellary district. The government has also issued preliminary notification for land acquisition for Tata Metaliks steel plant in Haveri district.
“As far as clearances from the state government is concerned, all the proposed steel projects are on track. As regards the allotment of mining leases, we have completed the hearing of their applications and very soon will send the recommendation to the Central government for prior approval,” he said.
Land has been allotted to Dynamatic Technologies and BEML Ltd at the Aerospace SEZ and both companies have started work on their manufacturing plants.
Lafarge India Pvt Ltd, which is setting up a 3 MTPA cement plant and 43 Mw coal-based power plant in Gulbarga district has obtained the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) clearance and mining lease from the state government.
MoEF has issued an in-principle clearance to Karnataka Power Corporation Limited for setting up its 2,100 Mw gas-based power plant at Tadadi in Uttara Kannada district. It has applied to KIADB for land allotment.
