Jamshedpur, Nov. 19: The Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (Aiada) has taken back 100 acres of land lying unused within a 350-acre plot leased to Tata Steel way back in 1969, stepping up efforts to pass on available space to at least 150 small and medium units waiting to kick-start operations.

According to Aiada officials, of the 350 acres, the steel major was using 200 acres in Gamharia to house the Tisco Growth Shop, a steel product manufacturing subsidiary.

The remaining 150 acres was lying vacant.

Based on a hearing conducted by Aiada managing director on October 31, the authority today decided to cancel the lease for 100 acres, leaving 50 acres for future expansion plans of the company.

“We had sent several notices to the company (since 2006) asking it to use the land as per the agreement,” said Aiada secretary H.N. Ram.

“But the company maintained the vacant land in large sector of the Adityapur industrial area would be used for expansion purposes of its sister concern.”

A spokesperson for Tata Steel, however, declined to comment, saying they were not aware of any such development.

Aiada officials maintained the decision was taken to help facilitate the construction of small and medium scale units in the industrial belt, already plagued by an acute shortage of land.

“The land that has been taken back from Tata Steel would be given to other industrial units that are waiting for a patch of land in the industrial belt. We have provisions to cancel the lease agreement with the industrial unit if it has failed to use it according to the rules of the agreement,” said a senior Aiada official.

At least 150 industrial projects were okayed by Aiada, but have been unable to start operations for want of land.

“Aiada’s land acquisition proposals have also failed to take off due to protests from local villagers. We are looking to acquire around 2,200 acres near Sitarampur Dam in Seraikela-Kharsawan district,” he added.

Besides Tatas, Aiada has also sent notices to several other industrial units that were either not using the land or were using it for purposes other than production work.