CM Devendra Fadnavis Urges Centre to Allocate Six Iron Ore Mines in Gadchiroli to Maharashtra; Aims to Make India a Steel Export Powerhouse

Mumbai, June 2026 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has urged the Central Government to allocate six iron ore mines in Gadchiroli district to the Maharashtra State Mining Corporation (MSMC) as part of the state’s ambitious plan to transform Maharashtra into the country’s leading Green Steel Hub.

The demand was raised during a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha, with Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy. Fadnavis expressed confidence that if the mines are allotted to the state corporation, they could be operational within two years and contribute significantly to India’s steel production by 2030, ultimately helping the country emerge as a major steel exporter.

The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, Maharashtra Minister of State for Mines Pankaj Bhoyar, senior officials from the Coal Ministry, Energy Department, Environment Department, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Coal India, and Western Coalfields Limited.

Gadchiroli Poised to Become a Major Steel Production Hub

Fadnavis highlighted that the iron ore deposits in Gadchiroli are among the highest-quality reserves in the country. He said the district has the potential to emerge as one of India’s most important industrial and steel manufacturing centers.

According to the Chief Minister, the proposed development could attract investments worth nearly ₹3 lakh crore and generate lakhs of employment opportunities. In addition to rich iron ore reserves, the region possesses limestone and other minerals essential for steel production. The presence of nearby coal mines, abundant water resources, and improving infrastructure further strengthens Gadchiroli’s suitability for large-scale steel manufacturing.

He noted that the decline in Naxal activity in the region has created a favorable environment for industrial and mining development, opening new avenues for economic growth.

Strong Industrial Ecosystem Under Development

Fadnavis informed the Union Minister that several leading steel manufacturers, including Tata Steel and JSW Steel, have signed agreements with the Maharashtra government for future investments.

The state is also facilitating land acquisition for industrial projects and creating a comprehensive ecosystem to support steel production. Plans are underway to connect Gadchiroli with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and the upcoming Vadhvan Port through rail and freight corridors. Land has also been reserved along the Samruddhi Mahamarg for future railway connectivity.

These infrastructure projects are expected to support the development of what could become India’s largest steel and green steel manufacturing cluster.

Target of 50 Million Tonnes by 2030

The Chief Minister stated that more than 40 mineral blocks in Maharashtra are ready for auction, with the process already underway for 14 out of 34 identified blocks.

If the six Gadchiroli mines are allocated to MSMC, the state plans to operationalize them within three to four years. A dedicated administrative mechanism has been established, including district-level mining authorities, to ensure timely clearances and smooth project execution.

The government has set a target of producing 50 million tonnes of iron ore annually by 2030, providing a substantial boost to Maharashtra’s steel industry.

Competitive Steel Production and Transparent Mineral Supply

Fadnavis said that the integrated steel ecosystem being developed in Maharashtra could enable steel production at costs lower than those in China. Several domestic and international steel companies have already expressed interest in investing in the Gadchiroli region, and thousands of acres of land have been acquired for industrial development.

He pointed out that although around 500 mines have been auctioned across India, only about 50 are currently operational, largely because high auction premiums make many projects commercially unviable.

Allocating the mines to the state corporation, he argued, would allow faster commencement of mining operations and ensure transparent distribution of minerals to steel producers. Drawing a parallel with bauxite mining areas allocated to Odisha’s state mining corporation, Fadnavis requested approval for approximately 1,300 hectares sought by Maharashtra.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy responded positively to the proposal and also directed officials to implement an automated coal sampling system to reduce disputes over coal quality and prevent financial losses to power generation companies.

The meeting also reviewed several issues related to mining, coal production, and energy generation in Maharashtra. Fadnavis expressed confidence that the Centre, along with Coal India and Western Coalfields, would take prompt and positive decisions on the state’s key proposals.