Rail Vikash Nigam Limited will submit a concept paper on the requirement of railway infrastructure in the state for the upcoming steel plant projects to the Railway Ministry by end of this month.

This was indicated by the RVNL officials at a meeting, chaired by Commerce & Transport Secretary, Mrs Rajlaxmi today to discuss with the entrepreneurs about the additional infrastructure requirements for the proposed steel plants and aluminium projects.

It may be noted that 36 private companies have signed MoU with the state government for establishment of steel plants and another four for setting up of aluminium/alumina plants.

The annual production from steel plants by 2016 has been projected at 56 million ton while the raw material requirements by that time will be 175 million ton.

Hence, huge railway and road network will be required for the movement of finished products as well as raw materials.

Official sources said the progress of proposed steel plants, their ore requirements and probable date of commissioning was discussed at today’s meeting. The projected additional volume of traffic projected by the state government was more or less confirmed by the entrepreneurs who attended the meeting.

On the basis of inputs provided by the entrepreneurs, the Rail Vikash Nigam Limited will prepare a concept paper on the additional railway infrastructure requirements and will submit it to the Railway Ministry by the end of this month, said the officials.