The cold run of the briquetting unit of the upcoming 55,000 tonne per annum (TPA) ferrochrome plant of Tata Steel in Ganjam district of Odisha was successful.
Cold run means running condition test of all equipment and machineries involved in the production process without use of any raw materials. Cold run tests of briquetting unit were conducted during past few days with successful results with no snags. It is the first ferrochrome plant of the company which has been completely established by it. All other ferrochrome plants owned by Tata Steel in India were acquired by the company.
According to Tata Steel sources, success of this cold run hints that the ferrochrome plant has come closer to inception.
Earlier it was envisioned that the plant would start functioning from June this year. For various reasons including power supply this project has got delayed by a few months.
According to Tata Steel sources, the briquetting unit of this ferrochrome plant with 1,62,000 TPA capacity is fully mechanised. It has been made eco-friendly through installation of dust extraction and suppression systems at all points, with an aim to reduce pollution to the maximum level.
The furnace shell is being provided carbon paste lining to save it from impending heat during the production process. It is one of the final processes before commissioning of the plant.
The plant would be the anchorage industry of the proposed SEZ of Tata Steel in Ganjam district of Odisha. Anchor investment of Rs 542 crore is proposed to be made by Tata Steel in this SEZ named ‘Gopalpur Industrial Park’ that includes the ferrochrome plant. Industrial Development Corporation (IDCO) of Odisha had acquired 2970 acres of land near Gopalpur port in Ganjam district for a mega steel plant project of Tata Steel, which never materialised.
Now the company is coming up with the industrial park project on the land.
Company officials claimed that along with the construction process of ferrochrome plant in last stages, disbursement of revised rehabilitation and resettlement package worth Rs 350 crore to families who had lost their land for the project has also gained momentum.
According to Tata Steel sources, 80 persons from displaced families have already been provided permanent employment in the plant while 250 more from the communities in and around the project site would be recruited indirectly. Apart from them, 220 persons from displaced and project affected families have been provided technical training and employment opportunity in various companies across the nation.
