Posco not for another Kalinga Nagar, will wait

BHUBANESWAR: Facing stiff opposition from villagers who do not want its mega project to be located near Paradip, South Korean steel major Posco on Sunday said it would start work on the plant once the situation becomes normal.

“We are here to set up the project so that the people benefit from it. We are hoping that the situation will change,” said Cho Soung-sik, chairman-cum-managing director of Posco-India. Work, including construction of wall and levelling of ground, will start on the project once the stir dies down. If necessary, we are prepared to wait, he added.

“We want to help them with their livelihood... make it better than before,” the CMD said. The company will not try to force its way at any stage and “we will not seek police help to get the work done. We don’t want another Kalinga Nagar to happen”, Mr Cho said referring to the January 2 police firing at the developing steel hub in Jajpur district in which 13 tribals were killed.