Amidst widespread protest from different quarters including farmers, the Orissa government today said it has asked POSCO to consider alternative source of water for its proposed mega steel mill near Paradip.

Mr Suresh Mohapatra Water Resources secretary told reporters that "We have asked POSCO to consider alternative source of water for its proposed steel plant.”

POSCO which was originally planning to draw water from Jobra barrage near Cuttack city to feed its steel plant, has been asked to change its plan and think of getting water from Hansua River in Jagatsinghpur instead.

Mr Mohapatra said getting water from Hansua River would be cheap for the steel major as it was barely seven kilometer from its proposed steel plant site, whereas Jobra barrage is located at about 80 km from Dhinkia area.

(Sourced from PTI)