GADCHIROLI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday asserted that Gadchiroli, which was once dubbed as most backward district and in power corridors being called the place for “punishment postings”, is now all set to become the country’s next green steel powerhouse as he unveiled multiple projects.
Fadnavis made the remarks while unveiling the foundation stone of 4.5 MTPA mega integrated steel plant of Lloyds Metals and Energy (LMEL) at Konsari, including the inauguration of a 5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) iron ore grinding plant at Hedri, an 85-kilometre-long, 10 MTPA slurry pipeline between Hedri and Konsari
While speaking at the function, the Chief Minister said: “A massive socio-economic transformation is taking place in Gadchiroli since Lloyds Metals started industrialisation in the district. The rapid pace at which positive changes are taking place, will help Gadchiroli emerge among the Top-10 districts in Maharashtra in next five years.”
He said that the foundation stone laying of 4.5 MTPA Integrated Steel Plant is a major step in that direction.
Fadnavis said that “it was the dream come true for him as well as the people of Gadchiroli to lead the industrial revolution in this part of Maharashtra”.
“With rich deposits of iron ore in the district, and the upcoming integrated steel plant in the next 30 months, India will soon be able to compete with China. I am happy that LMEL and the people of Gadchiroli have been growing together. So far, 14,000 people have got jobs. With the steel plant, 20,000 additional jobs will be generated,” he said.
“Once the secondary steel plants come up in Gadchiroli, a steel cluster will develop. “We will support B Prabhakaran (Managing Director) in competing with China with good quality and low-cost green steel,” he said.
He also mentioned about LMEL’s initiative of training surrendered Maoists and giving them jobs so that they could join the mainstream of society.
He also highlighted the role of police and the people of Gadchiroli for standing by the Constitution and the democratic system and not with Maoists, who have been thriving in the area for decades.
“Today, even former Naxals are working at Lloyds plant. The Naxal network has been broken, only a few remain, and they too must surrender,” he appealed.
Appreciating the women drivers of Volvo pellet trucks, the Chief Minister praised the company for training the women from housekeeping to light motor vehicle driving and then to heavy vehicle driving, which has provided them with better dignity and financial .
“Gadchiroli has been the greenest district of Maharashtra. With industries also we wish to maintain the identity. Hence, we have proposed to plant one crore trees in two years, and today the Government is launching a 40 lakh tree plantation drive,” Fadnavis said.
He lauded the LMEL for working on his suggestion of setting up a high-standard Rajahmundry-type Nursery in Gadchiroli to increase survival rate of plantation to 80-85 per cent. He showered praise upon Prabhakaran for various initiatives ranging from University Institute of Technology set up at Gondwana University in collaboration with Curtin University, programme for sponsoring higher education of Gadchiroli youths at Curtin University.
The Chief Minister referred to the Employee Stock Options Programme making workers as shareholders in the company, a new school proposed to be set up at Konsari, a new hospital. He announced that the Government scheme of providing health insurance cover up to Rs 5 lakh will be implemented in Lloyds hospitals to extend the benefits to the people.
In his speech, B Prabhakaran said that the Integrated Steel Plant’s work would be completed in 30 months and urged the Chief Minister to come for its inauguration too.
“Before that, we wish to complete the superspeciality hospital and school. With the government’s support, we can compete with China in quality and grade of steel,” he asserted.
Fadnavis also handed over the appointment letters to several people of total 1400 youngsters who joined LMEL on Tuesday.
