Bokaro: Sundaram Steel Pvt Ltd plans to invest about Rs 1,021 crore to convert its Balidih sponge iron unit into an integrated steel plant, officials said.The expansion, discussed at a Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) public hearing at JIADA office, will raise the steel capacity from 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh tonnes and sponge iron output from 1.8 lakh to 4 lakh tonnes annually. The project includes new furnaces, a ladle refining furnace, rolling mill, submerged arc furnace facility and additional power generation.General manager R P Sharma said employment would rise from 660 to 1,500. Villagers welcomed the plan but sought jobs for locals, skill training and stricter pollution, water conservation and plantation measures.JSPCB official Vivek Kujur said, “Public proceedings, minutes, video recording, and public comments and objections are compiled by the board and sent directly to the regulatory authority responsible for granting environmental clearance (EC).”
