Centre scotches reports on torpedoing Bayyaram plant

​New Delhi: The Union Steel Ministry on Thursday denied reports appearing in the media that the Centre was against setting up of steel plants in Bayyaram and Kadapa.
 
In a statement, the Ministry said that a task force constituted by the Steel Ministry was examining the feasibility of setting up steel plants in Bayyaram of Telangana and Kadapa of Andhra Pradesh by any interested parties. 

A task force comprising representatives from the Central government, State government and Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Ministry of Steel was set up on October 19, 2016 to consider the feasibility issues and to prepare a roadmap for setting up of steel plants.
"It had held series of meetings since then which were attended by the representatives of the State governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. 

The last meeting of the Task Force, being sixth in the series of meetings, was held on June 12, 2018. The relevant data for preparation of the feasibility reports based on realistic assumptions is to be shared by the State governments with MECON (CPSE under Ministry of Steel) entrusted with the task,” the release stated. 

It further added that Ministry of Steel is making sincere and relentless efforts in working out a feasible solution to make the project financially viable so as to bring about positive and sustainable development of not only Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but also the nation as a whole.

As per the 13th Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) examined the feasibility of establishing an Integrated Steel Plant in YSR district of Andhra Pradesh and Khammam district of Telangana and submitted its report examining the feasibility of installation of three MTPA Integrated Steel Plant in both the States on December 2, 2014.  As per the feasibility report, setting up of steel plant was found prima facie not financially viable, it added.