We want to forget the past and start the project in an amicable way with the cooperation of local people,' Kumar said.

'The rehabilitation work is going on. The state government has also come forward.'

The official, however, did not give any definite date for commencing the project.

'I don't give a definite date, but we hope things would be resolved by December and we will start work soon,' Singh said.

The steel major needed 3,500 acres for the project and the government has allotted 3,040 acres. But the company is yet to take physical possession of the land due to resistance from the local residents.