Hubballi: The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) alleged that the bureaucrats are keeping the CM Siddaramaiah in the dark over developments in the ArcelorMittal project.

Addressing a meeting with the reporters KCCI president of Hubballi, Vasant Ladawa said that the recent statement made by the CM that ‘ArcelorMittal is shelving its proposed Rs 5,000-crore steel plant project at Dharwad’, is incorrect.  

The steel plant is a joint venture of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and ArcelorMittal, he informed. However, the government, the bureaucracy in particular, was not serious about the project despite their giving all details to officials. Hubballi-Dharwad would miss another opportunity for development because of the government’s attitude, he said.

Ladawa said, “We didn’t expect such a reply from the CM. We have met him with the details of understanding between the two steel majors and their evincing interest in investing in Karnataka. However, the CM told the House that the government was not aware about the development and it has not received any proposal.”

He further said, “Of course, the companies haven’t approached the government yet, but their technical adviser agency has asked the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board for information related to the site layout.”

A team of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants (RBSC), which was assigned by the two steel companies to scout a location for the plant, had visited the city recently, KCCI said.

KIADB lands at Gamanagatti (590 acres), Mummigatti (469 acres) and Singanalli (900 acres) were shown to the team, which assessed the connectivity, availability of raw material and human resource, and industrial environment.

“The project is expected to provide direct employment to around 15,000 people. The government should not let this opportunity go,” said Ladawa.