IANS reported that land acquisition woes have prompted the Videocon Group to consider shifting its proposed steel and power plants in West Bengal's Burdwan district to another location.

It was also hoping to complete the projects on a smaller project area by exploiting newer technology. The company had earlier planned to acquire 3,000 acres.

Stating that the company has acquired a small portion of land at Jamuria in Burdwan district, company director Mr Annirudh Dhoot said a decision will be taken on relocating the two plants to a new location in the state or executing the projects in phases.

He said "Now newer technologies are available. We think we can execute a 3 million tonnes per annum capacity steel plant and a 1,200 MW power plant on 1,800 to 2,000 acres."

The company had inked deals years back in the state for the two projects but has been unable to execute the plans due to problems of land acquisition and getting coal blocks.

Asked about the company’s plans in eastern India, Dhoot said it had bid for a 1,320 MW power project in Bihar and was also planning a minor port in Orissa before venturing into steel projects in the long run.

(Sourced from IANS)