By Kamalakara Rao
Two teams from ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) visited Anakapalli district in the first week of July to study the progress of the first phase of the company鈥檚 integrated steel plant at Rajayyapeta in the district.
The shore-based steel plant, which will have a production capacity of 17.80 million tonnes per annum and is expected to create one lakh jobs, is being set up with a total investment of 鈧1,47,162 crore, according to sources.
The two teams, one comprising eight members and the other, 18, visited the site on two separate days. Japanese nationals were also part of the teams.
The team visited DL Puram in Nakkapalli mandal, where the government had allotted land for the company鈥檚 captive port. The port is specifically meant for handling the company鈥檚 export and import requirements, given its proximity to Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. The team also visited other places like Amalapuram, Boyapadu and Rajayyapeta villages.
They interacted with local government officials and held a meeting with them.
A senior revenue official who accompanied them told The Hindu on condition of anonymity that two teams were ready to start soil testing, possibly by July end or in August. A total of 2,262 acres has already been allotted to the company in the first phase. They expressed satisfaction over the prompt support and coordination of the government.鈥
The proposed initial capacity of the plant in the first phase is 7.3 MTPA. This will be increased to 10.50 MTPA in the second phase.