Deccan Herald News Service July 21, 2000
CM urged to relocate KIOCL in Sandur
The Urban Research Centre has urged Chief Minister S M Krishna to relocate Kudremukh Iron Ore Limited (KIOCL) in
Sandur of Bellary district in north Karnataka in a bid to save the forests and rivers of Kudremukh and to develop the backward
regions of north Karnataka.
In a letter to the chief minister, a copy of which was released to the press here, Urban Research Centre Director K V
Narendra said undertaking mining in the Kudremukh region would affect the thick forests, rivers and even agricultural
production near the Western Ghats.
However, it was wise to relocate the KIOCL in Sandur, he said claiming that Sandur had better quality iron ore and growth
prospects for the country would be strong as the region was fast becoming a major iron ore mining and steel production centre
of India.While the deposits in Kudremukh area had 38 per cent iron, those in Sandur had 60 per cent iron, he added.
Such a step would also help improve the employment opportunities in north Karnataka, he said. Pointing out that the chief
minister had promised to develop Bellary district, he said relocating KIOCL in the district would help increase the industrial
investments in the area.