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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

The Iron Ore Revolution

Gadchiroli transforms from ‘Red Corridor’ to steel hub Gadchiroli: Once synonymous with the shadow of the Naxal insurgency, Gadchiroli is undergoing an unprecedented and rapid transformation, poised to emerge as a powerhouse of the Indian steel industry and a model for socio-economic development. With security issues largely contained, the district is now witnessing a massive Rs 3 lakh crore investment pipeline, signaling a monumental shift from conflict to commerce. District Collector...

The Iron Ore Revolution

Gadchiroli transforms from ‘Red Corridor’ to steel hub Gadchiroli: Once synonymous with the shadow of the Naxal insurgency, Gadchiroli is undergoing an unprecedented and rapid transformation, poised to emerge as a powerhouse of the Indian steel industry and a model for socio-economic development. With security issues largely contained, the district is now witnessing a massive Rs 3 lakh crore investment pipeline, signaling a monumental shift from conflict to commerce. District Collector Avishyant Panda detailed the comprehensive development agenda, underscoring that the focus has squarely moved to building world-class industry and infrastructure, matched by crucial human resource development. The heart of this transformation is the colossal investment in steel production, leveraging the district’s rich iron ore deposits. The combined efforts of major industrial players are set to make Gadchiroli a steel manufacturing giant. JSW Steel is setting up what is projected to be the world’s biggest single-location steel plant, with a massive capacity of 25 MT (Million Tonnes). Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. has already commenced operations, establishing a 10 MT steel plant at Konsari, while Surjagadh Ispat is adding to the capacity with a committed 5 MT plant. The total planned production capacity of 40 MT in the coming years will not only generate significant wealth from the district’s natural resources but also anchor a vast auxiliary industrial ecosystem. “The district that was once being ruled with the barrels of a gun is now rapidly transforming into an advanced hub that thrives on the riches gained from the iron ore,” Collector Panda asserted. Infrastructure Leap Crucial to sustaining this industrial boom is a massive upgrade in connectivity, which has long been a major bottleneck. The long-awaited Railway link is soon expected to bring Gadchiroli onto the national rail map, drastically reducing logistics costs and time for the heavy steel industry. The district administration has already identified three locations for the construction of an airport. A final clearance and nod from the Ministry of Aviation is anticipated soon for one of these sites, which will facilitate rapid movement of VVIPs, critical goods, and eventually, commercial traffic. Digital Integration To ensure no corner of this vast district (which is comparable in size to the state of Nagaland) is left behind, a massive digital push has been executed. Mobile towers have been erected across all 1,550 hamlets in over 450 gram panchayats, with an additional 550 towers set up along key roads, ensuring robust communication and online service delivery. Skilled Manpower While security and infrastructure challenges are being systematically resolved, the single biggest issue that remains is the availability of skilled manpower to service the highly technical steel and allied industries. Recognizing that human capital is the critical factor for sustaining the district’s monumental industrial investment, Gondwana University, Gadchiroli, has embarked on an ambitious global partnership to cultivate a highly skilled local workforce. The university, in collaboration with the private sector and a leading international institution, is transforming its academic focus to directly align with the demands of the emerging Steel Hub of India. The linchpin of this strategy is the formation of a University Institute of Technology (UIT) in Gadchiroli. This institute, established with the full financial backing and corporate social responsibility commitment from Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd, is primarily dedicated to providing free diploma-level technical education to tribal and economically disadvantaged students from the district’s most remote areas. A landmark agreement has been signed with Curtin University, Australia, a globally renowned institution particularly strong in mining studies. This tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gondwana University and Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd aims to combine global academic rigour with local employment opportunity. The new UIT is currently offering three specialized, industry-relevant diploma courses: Mining Technology, Steel Technology, and Computer Science with Mining Applications. Each stream is designed to enroll 30 students in its initial phase, with the curriculum being jointly developed by the academic and industry partners to ensure the training is both theoretically sound and commercially applicable. Formation of District Transformation Committee (DTC) provides a crucial institutional framework for coordinating the implementation of key central and state schemes, specifically focusing on skill development, education, and health to fast-track the district’s comprehensive development. New Horizons The developmental model is deliberately holistic, encompassing agriculture and social infrastructure. Progressive farmers, with active support from the district administration, are experimenting with high-value crops like Water Chestnut and Strawberry, moving beyond traditional paddy farming to explore profitable agricultural diversification. The Ekal Training Centres are undertaking a unique program aimed at empowering Gram Sabhas (Village Councils) to enhance and sustainably manage forest produce, ensuring that the tribal populace receives the maximum benefit from their natural wealth. Social Infrastructure Upgrade The education and health infrastructure is seeing a significant overhaul. New hospitals are being established in the remotest areas, with much of the funding and support coming directly from the industries setting up base in the region, creating a true public-private partnership for social good. Gadchiroli’s story is no longer one of adversity, but a vibrant narrative of economic resurgence, connectivity, and development. The collective focus on capitalizing on its mineral wealth while simultaneously nurturing its people’s skills and social well-being marks the dawn of a new, industrial era for this once-neglected frontier.

Starlink’s India Entry: Strategic Move or Security Risk?

Updated: Mar 17


Starlink’s India Entry
Elon Musk

In a news-making announcement, London-based Bharti Global and Ahmedabad-based Jio Platforms Ltd confirmed that SpaceX’s Starlink has formal business ties with both major Indian telecom players to enter the vast Indian market—a sector with strategic implications. The move raised questions about broader national security concerns.


Before Starlink, India already had one of the world’s cheapest, densest, and fastest internet networks. Its 5G penetration is unmatched. By 2027, internet users in India are expected to exceed 1 billion, with over 90% of households online. India has developed its own telecom standard, 5Gi, to boost remote connectivity. Under BharatNet, nearly 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayat and non-Panchayat villages are being connected with optical fiber. The Bharat 6G Alliance and the government’s Multiplatform Next-Generation Networks Task Force are prioritising research into space-terrestrial integrated networks.


In the U.S., Starlink cannot sideline telecom giants like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. In February 2025, T-Mobile and Starlink launched a direct-to-device beta for low-coverage areas. In India, Starlink targets the premium segment with pricier services than BSNL, which is still rolling out 4G. So the question isn’t just about business—it’s why these tie-ups matter.


Telecom hardware autonomy is vital for India, a lesson learned during 5G development when Chinese equipment delays caused setbacks. Now, with Starlink, India risks relying on the U.S. for space integration with its domestic networks. The larger question: why aren't India’s space and telecom sectors collaborating more closely? Where is the spirit of Aatmanirbharta?


For 25 years, India and the U.S. have built strong ties. India modified the foundational military agreements—CISMOA, LEMOA, and BECA—to suit its needs. Notably, the India-specific CISMOA, COMCASA, signed in 2018, is relevant here.


Starlink is a monopoly backed by SpaceX, which uniquely combines satellite and rocket launch capabilities—an edge unmatched even by China or Russia. SpaceX’s dominance earns bipartisan support from the White House and Pentagon. India is now seeking collaboration with this monopoly. While COMCASA is military in scope, it also facilitates high-tech transfers. Starlink’s entry fits this second purpose.


Can India match SpaceX’s launch volume? For now, no. ISRO and New Space India Limited can build only 3–4 PSLVs a year unless more rockets are commissioned. The bar is high—SpaceX’s Falcon 9 had 134 launches in 2024 alone, carrying 22–23 Starlink satellites (about 17–18 tonnes) per launch. Even if Jio and Airtel build their own satellites, forming a full constellation requires frequent, high-capacity launches—something only SpaceX currently offers.


Concerns over Starlink’s entry into India are valid. So far, Starlink has been indirectly involved in gray zone warfare in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, partly due to U.S. government actions. Non-state actors and proxies have used Starlink for geopolitical aims. Black market sales of user terminals remain largely unchecked—one was even found with a secessionist group in Manipur.


Adding to the concerns is Elon Musk himself—a figure even Trump struggles to decipher. Musk has openly expressed his intent to support preferred national leaders via his X platform, echoing regime-change tactics once linked to covert U.S. operations—though he aims to do so publicly. Both Democrats and increasingly uneasy Republicans are growing wary of his overreach.


Indian public life values decency, respect, and decorum. No reputable leader or businessperson wants to hear something like, “Be quiet, small man, there is no substitute for Starlink,” as Musk told Poland’s foreign minister. India’s business and political leaders will tread carefully with someone trying to monopolise social media, telecom, and space—knowing monopolies rarely last.


Airtel still holds stakes in Eutelsat OneWeb, while Jio has partnered with Luxembourg-based SES to build a satellite constellation. Few know that BSNL already offers direct-to-device satellite connectivity via U.S.-based Viasat. Indian satellite firms are securing government contracts to develop domestic constellations. The PSLV is being privatised through a consortium of L&T and HAL. ISRO’s new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle is also up for private manufacturing by Alpha Design, Adani Defence, HAL, and Bharat Dynamics. Within a few years, India will have fully commercialised satellite launch and manufacturing.


More importantly, the case for large constellations like Starlink is weakening globally. Astronomers fear interference with observations, while scientists warn of heavy metal pollution from satellite burnouts. Environmental concerns in Earth’s orbit are growing, with France pushing sustainability talks via the Paris Peace Forum. Smaller constellations will emerge once viable technical and business models are available—and that day isn’t far.


The Jio and Airtel partnership with Starlink is likely temporary and will require geopolitical, political, and business resilience to succeed. Even if it falters, both telecom giants have contingencies. As for the Indian government, it plays like a seasoned centurion—respecting a good delivery and punishing a full toss with Rohit Sharma-style ease. This is one such good delivery from the US.


(The author is a Space and Emerging Technology Fellow at the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology, Observer Research Foundation, Mumbai.)

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