Gadchiroli has potential to get Rs 35,000 crore mining investment: Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

NAGPUR: Unveiling his ambitious plan to make a complete turnaround of Naxalite-infested Gadchiroli district, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said it has a potential to get investment of over Rs35,000 crore in the mining and other sectors.
Interacting informally with the media here on Sunday, Fadnavis, who had taken guardianship of Gadchiroli along with other five districts, said Lloyds Metals and energy Limited (LMEL) was already operating iron ore mine in the tribal dominated district at Surjagarh village in Etapalli town.
“The company has plans to enhance its capacity and also to set up an integrated sponge iron plant (at Kondseri). The iron ore found there is of top class, but due to Maoist menace and other factors, the investors were shying away from coming there. Now, the government is making all out efforts to start mining in a big way and there is huge potential for investment in the district. It would help to create over 50,000 jobs there,” he said.
Expressing disappointment that projects like Surjagarh should have come up in Gadchiroli around three to four decades ago, he said a few persons had tried to create hurdles on account of their vested interests for all these years. “Now, the government is committed to development in Gadchiroli. We are ensuring that local youths get employment in the upcoming projects on priority,” he said.
Talking about his home portfolio, the deputy CM expressed concern over growing radicalization of a community in Akola and Amravati districts but assured that the government will deal with any untoward situation with iron hands.
He also issued a veiled warning against the sand mafia stating that no one would be spared if found guilty. “We will try to invoke MPDA top against the notorious sand mafia. The government had already launched a crackdown and those involved would be sent behind bars,” he said.
Admitting that the growing number of cyber crime cases was a cause of concern, Fadnavis assured that a comprehensive cyber cell unit would be set up in the state. “We would soon be coming out with a robust system, where experts from the police, finance and other fields would come under one roof to tackle such cases,” said Fadnavis.