The environment ministry is believed to have deferred clearances to JSW Steel’s Rs 25,000-crore capacity expansion proposal at Bellary plant and sought details of coal linkage and disaster management plans among other things.

“After detailed deliberations, the committee (expert appraisal panel of Ministry of Environment and Forests) ... deferred the project,” sources said.

Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel is producing seven million tonnes per annum (mtpa) steel at Bellary now and has embarked on expansion to take the capacity to 10 mtpa, expected to go on stream by March next year.

JSW Steel also plans to further increase its steel making capacity within the plant to 16 mtpa by 2013. The environment ministry’s clearance was sought for expanding capacity from 10 mtpa to 16 mtpa.

Mecon, which has been roped in by JSW Steel as consultant for the proposed expansion, had made a detailed presentation on the project and outlined environmental protection measures to be taken at a recently-held meeting with the designated panel of the environment ministry, sources said.

However, not satisfied with the information provided by the steel major, the panel has asked detailed housing plan for construction workers, exact source and trace element analysis of raw material, a copy of coal linkage document and CSR plan for five per cent of the project cost.

The expert committee has also asked for an authenticated map showing the location of the project and Daroji Bear Sanctuary.