Jamshedpur, Dec. 26: The state government has sought Tata Steel’s help to ensure that the resort at Musaboni takes concrete shape.

The Taj Group of Hotels, owned by the Tatas, was asked by the Marandi government to take up the project at Musaboni under Ghatshila sub division in East Singhbhum. The group has already decided to build a state- of-the-art hotel in Ranchi.

State government sources told The Telegraph that chief secretary G. Krishnan has written to Tata Steel managing director B Muthuraman to take up the matter with the authorities of the Taj Group.

“After the state government placed the proposal to the officials of the Taj Group to establish a resort, nothing was heard from them. The state government felt that Tata Steel could play a decisive role in convincing the Taj management in putting up a resort there,” a senior state government official said.

Krishnan admitted that he wrote to Muthuraman seeking his help in the fructification of the project.

“I would also speak to him regarding the matter soon,’’ the chief secretary added.

According to the chief secretary, officials of the Taj group of hotels are yet to get back to the state government after the latter floated the proposal for the construction of a resort at Musaboni.

Recently, a senior official of the group had visited Musaboni to survey the area where the resort was supposed to come up. The official was accompanied by some officials of the Indian Copper Complex (ICC).

“We felt that Ghatshila would benefit from the economic activities taking place there. There are quite a few proposals that the state industries department has received for that stretch, including one medicine growth centre,” government officials said.

“Moreover, we have approached the Tatas to revive the abandoned airport at Chakulia with facilities for aircraft maintenance and a pilot training school. If the Chakulia airstrip becomes functional, travellers would certainly want good lodging facility near the airport. The the resort would serve the purpose,” sources added.

Government officials said plans are also afoot for developing Ghatshila as a tourist destination. “Ghatshila receives hundreds of tourists every year,’’ an official said.