The first major component of the upcoming Rs 35 billion integrated steel plant at Burnpur has been awarded to a consortium for Rs 3 billion. The IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) will be expanded into a state-of-the-art green steel facility, marking the largest single central government investment in West Bengal to date.

On Thursday, ISP Burnpur signed a significant agreement with a consortium comprising Metso India Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata, and Outotec, Germany. The contract covers the construction of a 2.673 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) Sinter Plant Complex—the first major project under ISP’s expansion initiative.

Surjeet Mishra, director-in-charge of ISP and Durgapur Steel Plant, confirmed the installation of a 252-square-metre sinter machine, expected to be operational within 40 months. The expansion will follow the Blast Furnace–Basic Oxygen Furnace route, increasing crude steel production by 4.08 MTPA. The new Sinter Plant Complex will meet around 33 per cent of ISP’s sinter requirements, featuring Emission Optimised Sintering (EOS) technology to reduce fuel use and emissions.

Separately, Czech firm Hutni secured the Rs 8 billion contract for the by-product plant, part of ISP’s coke oven initiative. Sushil Kumar Suman, president of the IISCO Officers’ Association, said the project is expected to provide employment for 10,000–15,000 construction workers and transform the regional economy.

The foundation stone is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the coming months.

In a parallel green energy initiative, a 3.6 KW solar tree was inaugurated at the ISP sinter plant, meeting the canteen’s electricity needs while providing shade and a resting space for employees. The project was led by Nikunj Bihari Sutar, deputy general manager (Sinter Electrical).