December 02, 2008

PM launches modernization of SAIL BSL

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has laid the foundation stone for the INR 11000 crore modernization and expansion project of SAIL’s Bokaro Steel Plant.

At the push of a button, the plaque bearing the inscription of the historic occasion was unveiled before a 10000 strong enthusiastic gathering of the people of Bokaro Steel City. The Prime Minister also unveiled a monument of 4 steel men holding aloft the well known symbol of SAIL atop an open book symbolizing the start of a new chapter in the life of BSL. He also inaugurated the electrification of 10 villages of Bokaro district under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Program by pushing a button to start power supply on line in two villages namely Obra and Pordag.

This modernization and expansion program will enhance BSL's capacity for hot metal production from the present 4.585 million tonnes per annum to 7.44 million tonnes per annum, that of crude steel from 4.36 million tonnes per annum to 7 million tonnes per annum and of saleable steel from 3.78 million tonnes per annum to 6.53 million tonnes per annum by the year 2010. The program consists of Greenfield projects for a new steel melting shop of 3.8 million tonnes per annum and a new cold rolling mill of 1.8 million tonnes per annum. In addition, the existing facilities in the coke ovens, sinter plant, blast furnaces, steel melting shop II, hot strip mill and cold rolling mill will be modernization to enhance capacity, efficiency and productivity.

Dr Singh commended the contribution of SAIL in nation building. He reminisced about the epithet of Temple of Modern India given to Bokaro by the first Prime Minister or India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and called Bokaro a symbol of self reliance. He described steel as a rising sector and expressed hope that many projects would come up to augment the availability of steel and also create new job opportunities. Dwelling on the immense potential of Jharkhand, Dr. Manmohan Singh talked about a number of infrastructure development projects being taken up in the state and the significant fund outlay for these projects.

Mr Paswan union steel minister heaped fulsome praise on SAIL for its all round achievements in production, efficiency and profitability and excellent work in the area of corporate social responsibility. Referring to the National Steel Policy and the ambitious plans of the Ministry of Steel, he urged the government of Jharkhand to support the plans of SAIL towards expanding steel production capacity in India, especially Jharkhand.

Mr Madhu Koda chief minister of Jharkhand praised the contribution of Bokaro Steel in the development of the state of Jharkhand and assured that the state government would support the expansion plans of the company.