Land Acquisition Underway for JSW's Gadchiroli Steel Plant.

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has officially commenced the land acquisition process for JSW Group's ambitious ₹1 lakh crore integrated steel plant in the Wadsa taluka of Gadchiroli district. This significant development follows JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal's announcement in February regarding the mega-project in the Maoism-affected region.

According to a report by The Times of India, the proposed steel facility is slated to have a massive production capacity of 25 million tonnes per year (mtpa). This output would not only double JSW's current production capacity but also surpass the 18 mtpa produced by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), making it one of India's largest steel complexes.

Sources familiar with the matter indicate that this will be the largest land acquisition ever undertaken in the district, encompassing nearly 3,500 acres. "The process has been initiated. A formal proposal is close to finalisation," a source stated, adding that the majority of the land is privately owned, with some forested areas also included.

Clearances and Community Resolutions Pending

While the acquisition process has begun, a formal notification from the state government is pending, which will be followed by local intimations and joint land measurements. No official communication has yet been made to the villagers who will be affected by the project.

Given that some of the affected villages fall under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), resolutions from the respective gram sabhas (village councils) may also be required, the source added, indicating potential complexities in the acquisition process.

The Maharashtra state government has actively identified Gadchiroli as a promising steel hub. Other companies with planned investments in the district include Lloyds Metals and Energy, which recently secured clearance to expand its iron ore mining operations, and Surjagad Ispat, which has proposed a plant in southern Gadchiroli. The successful establishment of JSW's plant is expected to further solidify Gadchiroli's role in India's steel industry.