The Chhattisgarh government has acquired land from more than 1,000 people in the Lohandiguda block of Bastar district to facilitate Tata Steel build its greenfield integrated steel plant in the district. "Till February 23, 2008, the state government has paid a compensation of Rs 34.75 crore to 1,009 people against their land acquired for setting up a steel plant (by Tata Steel),' state industry minister Rajesh Munat informed the Vidhan Sabha today. Officials said about 1,000 hectares had been acquired so far. Tata Steel would require 2160.58 hectares in the Lohandiguda area of the district to set up its 5 million tonne per annum (mtpa) steel plant. About 10 villages will be affected by the project, which has been delayed due to hurdles in acquiring land. The minister said the district administration was not acquiring land forcefully and people were coming out willingly to hand over their land for the project.