Bangalore: Karnataka Government has cleared 11 mega industrial projects involving a massive investment of Rs 23,319.91 crore, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh said on Thursday (Sep 9, 2004).

Addressing the media after the High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) chaired by him met in Bangalore, he said the projects cleared were expected to generate employment to 6546 people.

"The initiatives of the Government pointed towards turning the State as investor friendly," Singh said adding that officials have been directed to take up follow up action on the projects cleared.

ONGC-MRPL would be establishing petrochemicals and aromatics plant at Mangalore with an investment of Rs 7475 crore and also a 2000 mw gas based power plant involving Rs 8594.50 crore investment. ONGC-MRPL would also be setting up Rs 3950 crore Re-gasification plant at Mangalore, Singh said.

The joint venture firms would be importing 10 million tonnes of LNG gas, he said.

The meeting approved the Jindal Thermal Power company proposal to set up a plant at Nandikur with an investment of Rs 1838.20 crore.

The other projects approved include Cipla Ltd, project for establishing a bulk drug manufacture facility at Bangalore with Rs 85.50 crore investment and Rs 249 crore integrated steel mill for manufacture of sponge iron and other products by Hampi Industries in Koppal district.

A tourism promotion project of Davanam Constructions to set up an amusement park, star hotel and multiplex theatre with Rs 163.50 crore investment was also approved.