Telangana IT & Industries Minister KT Rama Rao today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give his nod for setting up of Bayyaram Steel Plant at Warangal-Khammam and on Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad.
The minister called on Narendra Modi here on Wednesday and submitted DPRs to the Prime Minister and sought his approval and a positive sign. The visit assumes significance as Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had already made a similar request to Narendra Modi during his visit to Delhi on June 15. “I urged the Prime Minister to give his nod after submitting fresh “Detailed Project Reports” on Bayyaram Steel Plant at Warangal-Khammam and on Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad”, he said.
The Centre seems to be reluctant to set up the two steel plants in the two Telugu States for various reasons despite there was mention of these in the AP Reorganization Act. While the Telangana Government was ready to set up Steel Plant at Bayyaram on its own even if the Centre fails to extend required help, the TDP State government in Andhra Pradesh has escalated its tirade against the Centre after snapping its relations with the NDA Government on the issue of special status category and others. MP Ramesh from that State was on fast-unto-death for Steel Plant at Kadapa.
Talking to media persons here after meeting with Narendra Modi, KT Rama Rao said he urged the Prime Minister to extend his nod and cooperation on these two key projects. “I submitted detailed project reports (DPRs) to the Prime Minister as a follow-up to the previous meeting of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao with him. I hope the Centre will extend support in this regard. Telangana was in forefront in the IT Sector and ITIR will boost its progress rapidly if the Centre comes up with a positive sign and offer needed support”, he remarked.
KTR said the State government will bear 50 per cent of cost for Bayyaram steel plant for slurry pipeline and a Railway line between Bayyaram and Bailadilla in Chattisgarh to get more iron reserves. If there was less ferrous content in Bayyaram iron ore, the State government will get the same from Bailadlla, which is just 180 km away as was being done by the Vizag Steel Plant, he added. “We can provide employment to over 10,000 to 15,000 workers in the area through Bayyaram Steel Plant if the Centre helps us”, he said and added that the State government will be grateful to the SAIL if it comes forward to set it up. Or else, the State government will set up Steel Plant at Bayyaram on its own, he added. (NSS)