Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy has announced a plan to double the capacity of Rourkela Steel Plant to 9.8 million tonnes by 2030, calling the plant a cornerstone of India’s industrial development. During his visit, he inaugurated a 1 MTPA slab caster at Steel Melting Shop-2, built with a capital outlay of about Rs 11 billion, and reviewed progress at key facilities including Coke Oven Battery 7 and the upcoming Pellet Plant.
He noted improvements in raw material output, with the Odisha Group of Mines recording more than 5 per cent growth this year and expected to reach nearly 15 million tonnes in FY 2025–26. The expansion plan involves a Rs 300 billion investment, alongside Rs 90 billion earmarked for modernisation to keep the plant globally competitive.
The Minister emphasised collaboration with the Odisha Government and highlighted the wider socioeconomic benefits, including job creation for local youth, opportunities for MSMEs and enhanced community development. He said the project aligns with national goals under the National Steel Policy to raise India’s steelmaking capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030–31 and boost specialty steel production under the PLI scheme.”