Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, visited the Salem Steel Plant— a unit of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL)— where he received a ceremonial Guard of Honour and planted a sapling, underscoring the government’s commitment to sustainable industrial development.Describing steel as the “backbone of national development”, the Minister reiterated the Centre’s vision to grow responsibly while achieving ambitious targets—300 million tonnes of steel production by 2030, Net Zero emissions by 2070, and a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.During his detailed tour of the facility, Shri Kumaraswamy observed the complete steelmaking process—from raw scrap to molten metal and finished slabs. He visited the scrapyard, steel melting shop, electric arc furnace (EAF), slab caster and cold rolling mill, where he saw advanced technologies including the Torch Cutting Machine in action. The Minister commended the plant's discipline and sophistication, saying it truly reflects the Make in India ethos.The Salem unit operates through the Electric Arc Furnace route, playing a pivotal role in green and clean steel production aligned with India’s decarbonisation goals.Highlighting its wide utility, Shri Kumaraswamy noted the cold rolling mill’s output is vital for sectors such as:Stainless steel pipesRailway wagonsBridge componentsSubmersible pump partsCoin blanksLPG cylindersStainless steel roof sheets“These finished products reach millions daily—from households to high-tech industries,” he said, adding that the Salem Steel Plant is a vital pillar in India’s stainless steel value chain, serving railways, defence, infrastructure, and energy sectors.A high-level review meeting was held with the CMD of SAIL, Joint Secretary (Steel), and the Executive Director of the Salem Plant to chart a path for boosting profitability and production. Discussions focused on scaling up speciality steel production—a critical area for defence, railways, aerospace, and precision manufacturing. Shri Kumaraswamy stressed the importance of using renewable energy sources like solar and wind to cut costs and enhance sustainability.“We are committed to revitalising this strategic plant. Speciality steel is the future, and with better product mix and full capacity utilisation, Salem can be transformed into a cost-efficient, high-output unit,” the Minister stated.He also interacted with labour union representatives, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed.The visit reaffirmed the government’s drive to revitalise industrial assets under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With a clear roadmap focused on sustainability, innovation, and self-reliance, India’s steel sector is being positioned to lead globally in both volume and value.