Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment.
As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029–30. The company is also commissioning a five-million-tonne pellet plant, which will later be expanded to a total capacity of 12 million tonnes. These projects collectively aim to build an annual steelmaking capacity of six million tonnes by 2030.
The development is expected to create around 20,000 new jobs in addition to the 12,000 already generated in Gadchiroli. LMEL has also introduced a stock-option scheme for over 10,000 employees to encourage long-term participation in the company’s growth.
The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has extended support to the initiative, which aligns with the state’s vision of promoting industrial activity in previously underdeveloped areas. Supporting infrastructure projects such as an iron ore grinding unit, a slurry pipeline, and social facilities including a hospital and school have also been launched to complement the industrial expansion.
While the large-scale investment marks a turning point for Gadchiroli’s economic outlook, LMEL continues to face challenges such as fluctuating global steel demand, logistics constraints, and operational risks associated with the region’s location and resources. Nonetheless, the project underscores a major step in redefining Gadchiroli’s image from a conflict-prone area to a growing centre of industrial progress.