Chandrapur, March 14 An integrated green steel plant and a coal gasification project will be established in Bhadravati, in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, with an estimated investment of ₹17,000 crore. This will create jobs for more than 10,000 people and boost the economy of Vidarbha, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Saturday.
Addressing a gathering in the MIDC area of Telwasa in Bhadravati, where he laid the foundation stones for the two mega projects, the Union Minister of Coal and Mines said that this initiative will result in the production of high-value items such as ammonia nitrate, green steel, and hydrogen, which are currently imported in large quantities.
"This is part of the effort to make India self-reliant, which is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Coal plays a key role in the industrial development of the nation. Out of seven such projects nationwide, four are being established in this specific region," he said, while praising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' leadership in keeping Maharashtra on track to become a USD one trillion economy.
Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said that Vidarbha has abundant mineral wealth, and the two projects planned for Bhadravati aim to utilize these resources in a pollution-free manner.
"Climate change poses a major global challenge, impacting industries and agriculture, and there is a strong emphasis on utilizing mineral resources in a way that ensures zero pollution. PM Modi and Union Minister Reddy have taken the initiative to facilitate mineral production using the world's most advanced technologies," he said.
Furthermore, the local tourism sector will also benefit from this development, Fadnavis added.
Listing development projects in Vidarbha, the CM said that a "steel hub" is being developed in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Bhandara, and Gondia districts.
"This region has already attracted investments of ₹3 lakh crore, which is expected to generate employment opportunities for 100,000 people. Tribal youth from Gadchiroli are even pursuing education in Australia. The future of this sector lies in green steel. There is a 100 export market available for all the green steel produced by these industries," he asserted.
He asked officials to ensure that 70-80 per cent of the jobs in these projects are earmarked for local youth to ensure the development of the region.
Currently, Maharashtra's economy is the 30th largest in the world, and it is bigger than that of several nations, the CM told the gathering.