Hyderabad | Nov 9, 2017: Telangana Industries & Commerce and Mines Minister K T Rama Rao on Thursday informed the Assembly that the available quantum and quality if Iron Ore at Bayyaram was 70.53 million tones including 59.73 million tones of low grade quantity as found out by exploration done by Geological Survey of India.

Replying to questions in the house, Mr Rao said that due to inadequate quantity and quality of Iron Ore available at Bayyaram, the State Government has initiated discussions with National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to get the Iron Ore from their closest mines in Chhattisgarh State to Bayyaram. Further the transportation of Iron Ore from Chhatisgarh to Bayyaram also needs to be examined either via new railway line or through slurry pipeline. Once the supply of Iron Ore was confirmed, the state Government would approach Government of India or Steel Authority of India limited (SAIL) for establishment of Steel Plant at Bayyaram.

Mr Rao said in the section 93 of AP State Reorganization Act, 2014 read with Thirteenth Schedule under “Infrastructure Development”, it has been mentioned that the Government of India shall take all necessary measures for establishment of an integrated steel plant in Khammam by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

There was no proposal to hand over Bayyaram Iron Ore to private organizations for mining purpose, the Minister added.

(Source: http://www.uniindia.com/)