Essar, JSPL, KIOCL keen on joining RINL-NMDC pipeline venture.

Essar Steel, JSPL and state-run KIOCL have evinced interest in participating as the partner in the Rs. 2,200-crore joint venture between NMDC and RINL for setting up a 450-km slurry pipeline and a pellet plant.

'It is understood that Essar Steel, JSPL and KIOCL responded against the Expression of Interest issued by NMDC for joining as the third partner in the project for slurry pipeline and pelletisation Plant,' a highly placed source in Steel Ministry told PTI.

Rashtriya Ispant Nigam Ltd. and iron ore producer NMDC, two state-run firms under the administrative control of the Steel Ministry, in May last had year singed a MoU for the proposed equal venture to make it a win-win for both.

However, NMDC later wanted to induct a third partner and entrusted with the job of operating the project and give it some equity stake.

The slurry pipeline that would run between Jagadalpur in Chhattisgarh to Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh would be used to transport iron ore. The pellet plant would be ten million tonnes per annum capacity.

HBL