Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy Announces Rs 20,000 Crore Expansion for Bokaro Steel Plant Capacity Increase

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has announced a significant expansion plan for SAIL's Bokaro Steel Plant. This Rs 20,000-crore project aims to boost the plant's capacity to 7.55 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Established in 1965, the plant began operations with a blast furnace in 1972 and initially had a capacity of 1.7 MTPA.

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The expansion will see hot metal production rise from 5.25 MTPA to 7.55 MTPA, aligning with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the steel sector. This development will not only increase production but also create 2,500 permanent jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs, according to SAIL's statement.

Infrastructure and Technological Advancements

The plant will undergo a major transformation with new infrastructure, including a 4,500 cubic metre blast furnace and a thin slab casting and direct rolling facility. Additional upgrades include a calcining plant, a stamp-charge coke oven battery, and an expanded sinter plant. "This expansion is testimony to India's commitment to self-reliance in steel production," said Kumaraswamy.

Kumaraswamy highlighted that these advancements align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of achieving a 300 MTPA steel industry by 2030. The investment will bolster the steel sector and significantly contribute to India's economic growth.

Focus on Sustainability and Renewable Energy

Efforts towards decarbonisation are also underway at the Bokaro Steel Plant. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions from 2.67 tonnes per tonne of crude steel to below 2.2 tonnes by 2030. Renewable energy initiatives include a 30 MW floating solar power project and a 20 MW land-based solar power setup.

The plant plans to procure an additional 100 MW of renewable energy from the Solar Energy Corporation of India through a power purchase agreement. "These steps reflect our focus on maximising capacity utilisation while optimising energy consumption," Kumaraswamy stated.

Coal Supply Self-Reliance

Kumaraswamy inspected the Tasra coal mine, which aims to reduce India's reliance on imported coking coal. Scheduled to be operational by September 2025, it will produce 3.5 MTPA of domestic coking coal, enhancing raw material security for steel production.

He also visited the Chasnala Washery, which has an installed capacity of 2 MTPA. This facility is designed to lower ash content in coal from 28% to 17%, improving efficiency in steel production. "The development of Tasra and Chasnala is an important step towards making India self-reliant in coal supply," Kumaraswamy remarked.

The expansion of Bokaro Steel Plant reflects India's broader goals for self-sufficiency in both steel production and coal supply. These initiatives are part of the vision for a Developed India by 2047, ensuring sustainable growth in key industries.