Question

Why does the north-eastern part of the Peninsular Plateau region have the maximum

concentration of iron and steel industries?

Answer 1

The north-eastern part of the Peninsular plateau, the Chhotanagpur plateau region, has the maximum concentration of iron and steel industries because of the following reasons :

(a) The region has rich reserves of iron ore of mainly haematite variety. Availability of good quality of iron ore at low cost, provides ideal location for setting up of iron and steel industries.
(b) High grade coking coal is available from the coalfields of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
(c) High quality manganese and limestone is available in proximity.                                                                         

(d) The surrounding densely populated region supply cheap labour.
(e) The vast growth potential in the home market is an additional advantage. Local market for the finished goods are provided by other industries using steel as raw material. Good linkage of roads and railways helps in distribution of finished products all over the country.

As iron and steel is a heavy industry, availability of raw materials like iron ore, coking coal and limestone, all of which are bulky, as well as market within easy reach has provided the region ideal location for setting up of iron and steel industries.