The government has activated a committee to oversee their land water and coal requirements. A separate committee has been set up to check on water conservation methods.

"We have 14 to 15 proposals for new steel plants," said industries minister Sabyasachi Sen. The new projects include JSW steel project in Shalboni with an investment of Rs 38,000 crore, a plant by Jai Balaji Group in Purulia with an investment of Rs 16,000 crore and a plant by Videocon Group in Asansol .

The committee, headed by S K Bhattacharya, former MD of Durgapur Steel Plant, will screen the proposals.

Sources in the state government said land and other requirements of the proposed plants may be curtailed depending on availability and local factors like public mood.

A separate committee is being set up to look into the water requirements for the plants, Sen added.