Open / Close Advertisement

SAIL Chairman Reviews Expansion Work at Bhilai Steel Plant

08/23/2011 - Steel Authority of India Limited Chairman C.S. Verma recently visited Bhilai Steel Plant to review the progress of modernization & expansion (M&E) activities currently being implemented at the plant.

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Chairman C.S. Verma recently visited Bhilai Steel Plant to review the progress of modernization & expansion (M&E) activities currently being implemented at a cost of about Rs. 17,200 crore. Verma also visited the Rajhara and Dalli mines, which provide raw material for BSP.
 
SAIL has urged timely implementation of the company's M&E program.
 
Verma expressed satisfaction regarding the progress made in installation of Bhilai's new Blast Furnace #8, which represents an investment of Rs. 1,579 crore. The new Blast Furnace #8 will be the Bhilai plant’s biggest blast furnace with an annual hot metal production capacity of 2.8 million tonnes. Verma urged BSP CEO Pankaj Gautam and other senior officers to closely monitor every step of the M&E program and ensure adherence to timelines by equipment suppliers.
 
During his visit, Verma also witnessed operations at Coke Oven Battery #10, which is currently under hot repair, and Blast Furnace #7. He also visited the main M&E project sites, including Coke Oven Battery #11, Sinter Plant #3 (in which a second sinter machine is to be installed), Steel Meltshop #3, and the Bar and Rod Mill. He also reviewed work at the ultra-modern Universal Rail Mill being set up at the plant at a cost of Rs. 1,200 crore. At Dalli-Rajhara, Verma witnessed the crushing, screening and washing processes and interacted with officers of the mines.
 
During a press conference held at Bhilai, Verma announced that SAIL would invest Rs. 10,264 crore on development of its mines. He added that the company's total iron ore requirement would increase from the present 23.2 million tonnes to a post-expansion level of 39 million tonnes, allowing the company to meet all of its iron ore requirements from captive sources.
 
Verma also said that the company is ready with an R&D masterplan that it is going to place before the government soon.