In an interaction with the mediapersons here on Sunday, Union Minister of Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar said at present the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) capacity is 2.1 MT and with the ongoing modernisation, the plant’s capacity would be 4.5 MT by 2025, while the target is for 10.8 MT. At the same time, the Minister set a target of 50 MT for all the SAIl units by 2025. The Minister further said though the total steel production capacity in India is 101 MT but the actual production is 83 MT and target is for 300 MT by 2025.
Tomar said there is ample scope to work is steel sector and it can help in achieving the ‘Make in India’. He said that the Centre has planned to set up four more mega steel plants in SPPP (State Public Private Partnership) in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Jharkhand whose production capacity would be 20 MT. He also admitted that while in the last 5-6 years, the steel sector has been running under several hardships due to irregularities in mining, the situation would look up very soon due to MMDR-2015 ordinance.
By this ordinance lease will be given for fifty years at a time and the lease holder would be free to sell its products anywhere. Similarly, the punishment aspects have been made stringent. There would be District Mineral Foundation under State supervision which will take care of the inhabitants who would be affected by mineral activities. Due to mineral royalty revision, Odisha will be benefited by Rs1,600 crore, Tomar revealed.
The Minister said the present modernisation drive worth Rs11,812 crore in the RSP is at the end stage. The Prime Minister has been requested to give time to inaugurate it. Talking about the upgradation of the IGH to a medical college, the Minister said the SAIl has no immediate plan for it but if the State Government gives a proposal for joint venture, then it can be considered.
The Minister laid foundation of Toilet Block at the Jhirpani High School and Stone Art Gallery at the Nehru Traffic Park, Sector-19. Among others, SAIl Chairman CS Verma, RSP CEO GS Prasad and many directors of the corporate office were present.