Telangana Minister of Mining KTR expressed discontent over the delay in the long stand dream of Bayyaram Steel Plant in Mahabubabad district. The minister was displeased with Centre’s comportment on the issue and said that Vishakapatnam where iron-ore is not available could already get a steel plant. TS has been pursuing the issue with the Centre for past two years but with hardly any progress.

Union ministry of Steel in March2017 accorded in-principal approval for the Steel Plant and suggested that the plant be set up in PPP mode as SAIL is in losses. However, KTR said he was oblivious about the steel-plant becoming a reality. Not only the minister but also locals are skeptical about the steel factory. There were reports that it may be shifted to Medak.

Iron ore deposits are amply available but reports suggested the iron found in the place was of poor quality with less than 60 per cent ferrous. However, the minister of mining said the plant can be linked up with nearby Bailadila iron ore mine in southern Chhattisgarh to address the quality issue.

The iron ore deposits were transported to Vishakapatnam before the bifurcation of the state and the transport completely stopped only in 2010. Setting up the factory would change the scenario of Mahbubabad district as it would not only generate employment but also develop to the area which remained backward with mostly tribal population.

As per the 13th Schedule of AP Reorganisation Act 2014, a steel plant has to be established by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to exploit the iron ore mines at Bayyaram and other reserve forest areas in tribal dominating district.