The Centre is likely to fulfil the long-pending demand for import of unshredded metal scrap at Inland Container Depot (ICD) in capital Raipur, but with certain riders.
The move will be a boon for the sponge and iron industry in the state, which contributes 30 percent of steel and sponge iron production to the total national pie.
"In order to improve export from the state, Chhattisgarh has been relentlessly pursuing approval of import of unshredded scrap to Raipur ICD. Last week, we got a letter from the Centre that its import will be allowed only with certain conditions," State Industries Department Director Kartikeya Goyal told PTI.
Efforts by Chief Minister Raman Singh and other senior officials have now borne fruit, he said, adding that it will be the biggest achievement of the state.
"This would improve exports from Chhattisgarh as unshredded scrap is used as raw material for melting units and integrated steel plants which are more than 200 in the state. These units require about 2.5 lakh mt HMS-I and HMS-II scrap annually," Goyal said.
At present, the unshredded scrap comes from ICD in Nagpur, Kolkata and Mumbai, which are far away from Raipur, and adds significantly to transportation cost for the exporters.
The facility will ensure a big cost advantage to sponge and iron industries, he said.
Besides, this measure will also address the current issue of low container availability.
"There is scarcity of about 3,500 containers at ICD in Raipur. The containers which will be used for the import of HMS could also be used for transportation of other commodities," he added.
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