News Brief
CM Fadnavis to inaugurate project in Naxal-affected region of Maharashtra
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is set to inaugurate a series of key infrastructure and industrial projects in naxal-hit Gadchiroli district on Tuesday (22 July), marking a pivotal step in transforming the mineral-rich but underdeveloped region of the state.
According to a report by The Indian Express, among the highlights of the inaguration is the launch of the state’s first operational iron ore slurry pipeline, a 10 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) project connecting Hedri to Konsari, aimed at establishing an eco-friendly logistics corridor for ore transport.
Alongside it, the first phase of the 5 MTPA iron ore grinding plant at Hedri, built by Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL), will also be inaugurated.
The 85 km pipeline is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 55 per cent, offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative to road-based mineral transport.
Additional groundwork will also be laid for a 100 bed multispeciality hospital, a new school, and the 116-acre Lloyds Township, which aims to create a self-sustained ecosystem for workers and their families in the region.
“22 July, 2025, is going to be recorded in the history of Gadchiroli as well as Maharashtra in golden letters… After successful green operations of iron ore mines at Surjagarh, commissioning of the DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) plant and pellet plant at Konsari, now a giant leap of faith is being taken in the form of an integrated steel plant,” B Prabhakaran, Managing Director, Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL), was quoted as saying by IE.