A high power environment ministry panel has recommended revalidation of environment clearance granted in 2007 for Posco India's proposed mega steel project near Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district, official sources said. Environment clearance to South Korean steel major Posco for a four million tonne per annum (mtpa) steel plant was granted in July 2007. It had only five years validity and revalidation was necessary for the Posco India to start construction work. The revalidation was approved by the reconstituted Expert Appraisal Committee (Industry) in its meeting held during May 16 to 17. "The Committee recommended the revalidation of the environmental clearance granted to M/s Posco (India) Private Limited," the sources said. The Committee had also considered stipulated specific conditions including the recommendations given in the report of the K Roy Paul Committee while granting revalidation of environmental clearance. The environment ministry had granted final forest clearance approval to Odisha for diversion of 1,253 hectares of forest land for the mega steel project in May 2011.