Burnpur (West Bengal), July 13 (APAC Media): Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday said India’s aspiration to become a global steel powerhouse would depend not only on expanding production capacity but also on developing modern, sustainable and technologically advanced steel plants.
Kumaraswamy began a three-day visit to West Bengal with a comprehensive review of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) integrated steel plant.
“India’s journey towards becoming a global steel powerhouse depends not only on expanding capacity but also on building modern, sustainable and technologically advanced steel plants. Every strategic investment we make today strengthens the foundation of a self-reliant India,” the minister said during his visit to the IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in Burnpur.
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During the visit, he inaugurated a reinforced cement concrete (RCC) water reservoir with a storage capacity of 84,000 cubic metres, developed to meet the water requirements of the plant’s COB-10 unit and support the proposed 4.08 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) expansion project.
According to officials, the integrated water management system includes a newly built booster pump house, a dedicated pump house for COB-10 and a process water pump house under construction.
The system is designed to establish a closed-loop water circulation network aimed at improving water conservation and operational efficiency.
The minister also inspected the blast furnace and reviewed its operational performance, production parameters and ongoing modernisation initiatives.
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Officials informed him that the plant produced 2.9 million tonnes of hot metal during FY 2025-26, reflecting improved productivity and operational performance.
Kumaraswamy visited the control room for the blast furnace, where he interacted with engineers and workers overseeing operations.
“Behind every tonne of steel produced stands the dedication, skill and commitment of thousands of engineers, technicians and workers. Their contribution continues to strengthen India’s industrial capabilities,” he added.
The minister later chaired a review meeting attended by SAIL Chairman and Managing Director Ashok Kumar Panda, the Director-in-Charge of IISCO Steel Plant and senior officials.
The discussions covered production performance, operational efficiency, capacity expansion, modernisation projects, sustainability initiatives, capital expenditure, technology adoption and future growth plans.
He also appreciated the plant’s efforts to improve inventory management, enhance procurement transparency and expand vendor participation, particularly among MSMEs, SC/ST entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs.
The minister noted that the plant’s capital expenditure increased to Rs 1,860 crore during FY 2025-26 from Rs 689 crore in the previous financial year.
Emphasising worker safety, Kumaraswamy said the government remained committed to ensuring the well-being of employees.
“Nothing is more important than the life and well-being of every worker. I am pleased to see IISCO embracing digital technologies and AI-enabled safety interventions that are transforming it into a safer, smarter and more efficient steel plant,” he noted.
He said the plant’s achievements reflected the commitment of its workforce and aligned with the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The minister also met representatives of labour unions, who raised issues related to employee welfare, working conditions and operational matters.
“The welfare of our employees remains at the heart of the steel sector’s progress. A motivated and secure workforce is indispensable for achieving sustainable industrial growth,” he expressed.
They also discussed leveraging the full potential of the IISCO Steel Plant to support West Bengal’s industrial growth and India’s expanding steel sector.
During the visit, West Bengal Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Agnimitra Paul met Kumaraswamy. The two leaders discussed Centre-State cooperation in promoting industrial development, strengthening the steel sector, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities.
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