Rourkela: Union Minister of Steel & Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy and Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram arrived in Rourkela on Wednesday for a two-day visit to the SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). The visit marks a significant push toward advancing modernization and capacity expansion at one of India’s premier steel manufacturing facilities.
Warm Reception at Rourkela Airport
Mr Kumaraswamy, accompanied by his wife Mrs. Anitha Kumaraswamy, SAIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Mr. Amarendu Prakash, and senior officials from the Ministry of Steel, was received at Rourkela Airport by Mr. Jual Oram.
Among the dignitaries present were:
- Mr. Durga Charan Tanti, MLA, Raghunathpalli
- Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, RSP and Bokaro Steel Plant
- Mr. Ratan Kumar, DIG, CISF
- Mr. Nitesh Wadhwani, IPS, SP Rourkela
- Senior officers from the Odisha Government and RSP
A Guard of Honour was presented to the Union Minister by the CISF RSP unit on his arrival.
Plant Visit Begins with Detailed Briefing
Following the reception, the delegation proceeded to the Rourkela Steel Plant. The visit began at the Model Room of the Learning & Development Department, where officials briefed the ministers on the operations, technological capabilities, and overall functioning of the plant.
Inauguration of State-of-the-Art Caster-4 at Steel Melting Shop-2
At the Steel Melting Shop-2, Minister Kumaraswamy inaugurated the advanced Caster-4, a major technological enhancement for the plant’s steel casting operations. He closely reviewed the slab-casting process and appreciated the RSP team for successfully commissioning the project.
Speaking on the occasion, he said:
“The Government of India, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, is committed to providing all necessary support for the growth and development of the Rourkela Steel Plant.”
Union Minister Jual Oram praised the dedication of the RSP workforce and expressed his continued support for the plant’s progress, recalling his long association and memories with Rourkela.
SAIL CMD Mr. Amarendu Prakash also addressed the gathering, applauding the consistent performance and commitment of the RSP collective.
Inspection of Major Ongoing Projects
The ministers visited key upcoming facilities, including the Pellet Plant and Coke Oven Battery-7, receiving updates on project status, expected timelines, and future expansion goals.
The visit concluded at the Hot Strip Mill-2, where officials explained the mill’s production capabilities and future readiness.
Senior Officials Present During Plant Tour
Several senior executives of RSP and SAIL were part of the high-level visit, including:
Mr. Tarun Misra, ED (HR); Mr. B K Giri, ED (Mines Development-CMLO); Mr. Biswaranjan Palai, ED (Works); Mr. Anil Kumar, ED (MM); Mr. M P Singh, ED (Mines-CMLO); and Mr. Sudip PalChowdhury, ED (Projects).
The visit underscored the government’s focus on strengthening India’s steel sector through modernization, technology adoption, and capacity enhancement across major steel plants under SAIL.
About Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
SAIL, a state-owned company under the Ministry of Steel, is one of India’s largest steel producers. It plays a significant role in meeting the nation’s steel demand and contributing to its infrastructure development. With a strong presence in both domestic and international markets, SAIL continues to focus on improving its production capacity, technological advancements, and sustainability initiatives to maintain its leadership position in the steel industry.
Read also: SAIL Reports 53% Decline in Q2 FY26 Profit to Rs 418 Crore, Revenue Surges Amid Strong Sales Volume
