Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated the SAIl’s modernised and expanded IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) at Burnpur (West Bengal) to the nation. This modernised and expanded plant would produce high quality steel rebars, including earthquake-resistant grades, wire rods and universal sections, including parallel flanged beams, for fulfilling the need of India’s growing infrastructure and construction sector.
In his address, the PM acknowledged the contribution of SAIl in nation building. He underlined the importance of the Indian Steel Industry and its vital role in country’s industrial and economic development and the significance of the industry in the ‘Make in India’ campaign. He said the economy of our country is poised for a take off, and the steel sector should be ready to fulfil the nation’s need for steel for rapid infrastructure development. The modernised and expanded ISP epitomised the spirit of the ‘Make in India’ campaign, the PM added. PM also added that the eastern India too should develop as fast as western India is developing, and for that development of WB is essential.
The modernisation and expansion programme of ISP, implemented with an investment of over Rs 16,000 crore would not only triple ISP’s hot metal capacity from 0.85 to 2.9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) but would also usher in a new era of green and high quality steel making. The plant, which was one of the pioneers of modern steel making in the country, has now been completely transformed into a state-of-the-art integrated steel plant in all facets of steel making, right from raw material handling to finishing mills.
Union Minister for Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar restated the importance of steel industry in realizing the dream of Make in India and the crucial role SAIl will play to reach the goal of creating 300 MTPA steelmaking capacities in the country. The modernised ISP would provide an apt platform for its further capacity enhancement to 5.6 MTPA, as part of SAIl’s plan to increase its total capacity to 50 MTPA. He added that Plants of West Bengal would play an important role in increasing SAIl’s overall capacity in the next phase of modernisation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee commended the contributions of SAIl in providing major boost to the Industrial development of the State through the concurrent modernisation of ISP Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants. She recalled the key role played by ISP in ushering in industrial revolution in Bengal.
Beside others Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi, Union Minister of State for Steel and Mines Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Babul Supriyo Secretary (Steel) Rakesh Singh, SAIl Chairman C.S. Verma with other dignitaries and senior officials from SAIl, Central and State governments were present there.