SAIL's IISCO plant to invest Rs 200-240 billion in Bengal

09 Feb 2024 CW Team

Brijendra Pratap Singh, the director-in-charge of the IISCO steel plant, informed PTI, "In-principle approval has been received for the greenfield plant that will produce flat HR coils, targeting grades like API (American Petroleum Institute) and automotive, among others."

He further mentioned, "Board approval is still awaited, but is expected shortly." Singh stated that the exact capex and investment details would be finalised after the tendering process.

After various delays and discussions regarding potential foreign partners for a joint venture, SAIL has ultimately decided to undertake the flat steel expansion project independently, possibly relying on imported technology. The completion of the project is anticipated within the next 3-4 years, he added.

Discussing IISCO's performance, Singh noted that the plant currently operates a 2.6 million-tonne crude steel plant, converting 85-90 per cent into finished products such as TMT bars, wire rods, and heavy structurals.

He anticipates the plant to achieve an ending revenue of Rs 115- Rs 120 billion for the current fiscal year due to higher production despite sluggish market prices.

In the past, SAIL management had conveyed to investors about a planned Rs 1 trillion investment across its plants for greenfield and brownfield expansions over the next 3-4 years, while aiming to maintain a debt-equity ratio of 1:1.

For the current fiscal year (2023-24), SAIL's capex is estimated at Rs 55 billion, of which Rs 21 billion has already been infused in the first half.

Steel Authority of India (SAIL) is considering an investment ranging from Rs 200-240 billion to establish a four-million-tonne greenfield steel plant at its IISCO plant in West Bengal. It has intentions to produce high-end flat hot rolled coil (HRC), including for automotive applications, at its existing Burnpur site and has received in-principle approval. Brijendra Pratap Singh, the director-in-charge of the IISCO steel plant, informed PTI, In-principle approval has been received for the greenfield plant that will produce flat HR coils, targeting grades like API (American Petroleum Institute) and automotive, among others. He further mentioned, Board approval is still awaited, but is expected shortly. Singh stated that the exact capex and investment details would be finalised after the tendering process. After various delays and discussions regarding potential foreign partners for a joint venture, SAIL has ultimately decided to undertake the flat steel expansion project independently, possibly relying on imported technology. The completion of the project is anticipated within the next 3-4 years, he added. Discussing IISCO's performance, Singh noted that the plant currently operates a 2.6 million-tonne crude steel plant, converting 85-90 per cent into finished products such as TMT bars, wire rods, and heavy structurals. He anticipates the plant to achieve an ending revenue of Rs 115- Rs 120 billion for the current fiscal year due to higher production despite sluggish market prices. In the past, SAIL management had conveyed to investors about a planned Rs 1 trillion investment across its plants for greenfield and brownfield expansions over the next 3-4 years, while aiming to maintain a debt-equity ratio of 1:1. For the current fiscal year (2023-24), SAIL's capex is estimated at Rs 55 billion, of which Rs 21 billion has already been infused in the first half.

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Dhalbhumgarh Airport Faces 150-km Rule Hurdle

The issue has resurfaced following a recent statement by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who said that under existing aviation policy, a new greenfield airport is generally not permitted within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of an operational civilian airport. He added, however, that if a formal proposal is submitted, its impact on the existing airport can be examined and relaxations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. While the clarification has revived some hope for Dhalbhumgarh, it has also underlined the scale of the technical challenge facing the project. Unde..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Stakeholders Seek Parallel Ops For Vizag Airports

With road and metro rail links to Bhogapuram still several years away, stakeholders in north Andhra Pradesh have renewed demands to continue civil operations at INS Dega even after the commissioning of Bhogapuram International Airport. The new airport is expected to begin commercial operations from June. Officials said close to 80 per cent of the airport infrastructure at Bhogapuram, including the terminal building and internal approach roads, has already been completed. However, inadequate external connectivity remains a key concern. Making a case for parallel operations, Andhra Pradesh Air ..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Govt To Roll Out V2V Tech To Cut Road Crashes

In an effort to curb road accidents, particularly in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog, the government is set to roll out vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology that will allow cars to exchange real-time data and alert drivers to potential dangers. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after the 43rd meeting of the Transport Development Council. The technology involves installing an on-board unit (OBU) in vehicles, enabling wireless data exchange between nearby cars. This will allow vehicles to share information such as spee..