New Delhi: Steel Authority of India Limited’s (SAIL) Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has commissioned a new PS-III Store by converting the previously unused ESM Bay under Hot Strip Mill-1 (HSM-1) into an additional materials storage facility. The facility was formally inaugurated by Anil Kumar, Executive Director (Materials Management), on October 22, 2026.
The initiative aims to improve storage efficiency, streamline material handling and reduce congestion at existing storage facilities. By repurposing existing infrastructure, RSP is also focusing on better utilisation of assets and more systematic material management.
SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant Repurposes Unused ESM Bay
Following the phasing out of HSM-1, the mill shed structure in the ESM Bay had remained unutilised. RSP has now converted this space into a covered storage facility to meet its material storage requirements.
The initiative makes productive use of existing infrastructure without leaving the former mill shed idle. It also supports the plant’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and optimise the use of available storage space.
The new PS-III Store is expected to facilitate more organised storage and smoother movement of materials within the plant.
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New PS-III Store to Decongest PS-II and Central Stores
The new facility will accommodate conveyor belts currently stored at PS-II, along with certain heavy materials from Central Stores that are presently kept in open areas.
Transferring these materials to the new covered facility is expected to ease congestion at both PS-II and Central Stores. It will also help improve the movement and handling of materials across the plant.
The additional storage space will support more efficient material management by providing designated areas for items that previously occupied crowded or open storage locations.
Covered Storage to Improve Material Preservation
The commissioning of the PS-III Store is expected to improve the protection and preservation of stored materials. Covered and organised storage can help protect industrial items from exposure to weather and other environmental conditions.
Better storage arrangements are also expected to extend the operational shelf life of materials, including conveyor belts and heavy equipment, helping maintain their condition until they are required for use.
The facility is therefore intended to deliver both operational and material-preservation benefits while supporting more efficient store management.
SAIL RSP Focuses on Efficient Asset Utilisation
The conversion of the erstwhile ESM Bay into the PS-III Store reflects Rourkela Steel Plant’s focus on optimal asset utilisation, improved storage infrastructure and streamlined material handling.
By making use of an existing mill shed, the plant is addressing storage constraints while improving the organisation and accessibility of materials. The initiative is expected to reduce bottlenecks in material movement and support smoother day-to-day operations.
About SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant
Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) is an integrated steel plant operated by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India. Located in Rourkela, Odisha, the plant produces a range of steel products for industrial and infrastructure applications. Through initiatives such as the PM-SETU Scheme, RSP contributes to technical skill development and industry-linked training.
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