Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Tuesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art steel-making unit at the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), highlighting its role in boosting the region’s economic progress. According to an official release, Mr Kumaraswamy, who heads the Ministry of Steel and Heavy Industries, visited the Odisha plant along with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram during their two-day tour of the city.
During the visit, the Minister commissioned the new ‘Caster-4’ unit at Steel Melting Shop-2, marking a key milestone in the plant’s modernisation efforts. SAIL earlier announced its intent to scale up RSP’s production capacity to nearly 9 million tonnes per year—more than double its present output. The expansion project, estimated at around ₹30,000 crore, aims to strengthen supply to essential sectors including defence, oil and gas, and the automotive industry.
Mr Kumaraswamy reaffirmed the Centre’s full backing for RSP’s long-term growth, while Oram, who represents Odisha’s Sundergarh district in Parliament, commended the plant’s accomplishments and pledged continued support for its development. The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is one of the country’s largest state-owned steel producers and a cornerstone of India’s industrial growth.
With an extensive network of integrated steel plants, including major facilities in Rourkela, Bhilai, Bokaro, Durgapur, and Burnpur, SAIL manufactures a wide range of steel products used across infrastructure, transportation, defence, energy, and manufacturing sectors. The company continues to upgrade its plants with modern technologies to increase capacity, improve efficiency, and enhance product quality, reinforcing its role as a critical contributor to national development.
SAIL has also been investing heavily in expansion and modernization initiatives, focusing on sustainability, energy efficiency, and high-grade steel production to support emerging needs in India’s economy. Its Rourkela Steel Plant, for instance, has become a key hub for advanced steel-making processes and is undergoing major capacity expansion. With a strong commitment to meeting strategic sector requirements and supporting regional development, SAIL remains essential to India’s steel supply chain and continues to play a vital role in driving the nation’s infrastructure and industrial progress.
