Mumbai: South Korean steel major Posco has sounded out unlisted Essar Steel for an alliance to build the planned $12 billion (12 million tonnes) steel plant in Orissa, which has run into repeated hurdles since the world’s fifth largest steel maker signed the construction agreement with the state government in 2005.

“They (Posco) have approached us (Essar Steel) through a third party to revive the Orissa steel plant,” a person with direct knowledge of the development, but doesn’t want to identified, told FE. “We are yet to respond to Posco’s proposal,” the person added.