SAIL set to expand its Rourkela steel plant

INDIA'S leading steel producer, Maharatna PSU Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is set to expand the capacity of its Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). For this, SAIL has sought Odisha government's support for its raw material requirements.

"We have plans to invest Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore for expansion of RSP's capacity from 4.5 mtpa to 10 mtpa by 2025-26. Therefore, we require adequate iron ore and seek support of the Odisha government," SAIL...

chairman CS Verma told reporters after attending the review meeting by Union steel secretary Rakesh Singh.

The PSU has already undertaken expansion of its 2 mtpa steel plant at Rourkela to 4.5 mtpa by pumping Rs 12,000 crore. SAIL plans to further expand the capacity of RSP, which has the biggest blast furnace of 460 cubic meter capacity in the country.

SAIL has two major iron ore reserve clusters at Balani and Barsuan and now its seeks more such raw material linkage in view of its proposed expansion.

The PSU is presently working out how much more iron ore would be required after expansion of its RSP project.

"We hope the state government will support and provide the required amount of raw material," he said.

Replying to a query on SAIL's proposed acquisition of Nilachal Ispat Nigam Limited at Kalinga Nagar in Odisha, Verma said the company is keen to acquire the facility.

"The major stake lies with MMTC under the Ministry of Commerce. If SAIL is given adequate stake, it would be able to run NINL," he added.

Earlier keeping this expansion drive in view, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) issued recruitment notification of 432 vacancies for various posts.

SAIL, a Maharatna PSU, is the world's leading and India's largest steel producer with an annual turnover of around Rs.49,350 crore.

It operates and owns five integrated steel plants at Rourkela, Bhilai, Durgapur, Bokaro and Burnpur and three special steel plants at Salem, Durgapur and Bhadravati.

As part of its global ambition the PSU is implementing a massive expansion plan involving project work of building/adding new facilities with emphasis on state of the art green technology.