From correspondents in India, 12:01 AM IST

Sounding an optimistic note on the stalled steel plant projects of South Korean steel major Posco and the Tata Group in Orissa, union Steel Secretary R.S. Pandey Friday said the projects may start by the end of June.

"Considering the progress, I have a feeling that two mega projects, namely Tata Steel and Posco India, should start their construction work by the end of June," Pandey told reporters.

While the Tata Steel has planned a 6-million tonnes steel plant in Kalinga Nagar Industrial Complex in the district of Jajpur, Posco has plans to set up a $12 billion plant near port town of Paradeep in the coastal district of Jagatsinghpur.

Both projects have been stalled due to fierce opposition from the local population.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)