MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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State-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has announced a massive expansion plan for its Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), aiming to more than double its capacity to 9.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) with an investment of ₹30,000 crore.
This expansion is part of SAIL’s broader strategy to increase its overall steel production capacity to 35 MTPA by 2030, ensuring enhanced supply to key sectors such as defence, oil & gas, and automobiles.
Expansion Plans for Rourkela Steel Plant
Current Capacity: 4.4 MTPA
Targeted Capacity by 2030: 9.4 MTPA
Investment: ₹30,000 crore
Additional Land: 1,200 acres for large-scale greenfield expansion
Alok Verma, Director In-Charge of RSP, stated that RSP will contribute 25% of SAIL’s total target production of 35 MTPA by 2030.
New Infrastructure Additions Under the Expansion
The expansion will involve setting up:
New Blast Furnace & Steel Melting Shop – To support increased production.
Raw Material Handling Plant & Coke Oven Stamp Charge Battery – For efficient material processing.
Sinter Plant & Thin Slab Caster-Direct Rolling Unit – To improve manufacturing processes.
Cold Rolling Mill & Silicon Mill – To enhance production of high-grade steel.
Railway Line & Logistics Enhancements – To ensure seamless transportation of raw materials and finished products.
A new railway connection from Dumertra station to RSP is under construction, aimed at reducing the logistics burden on Bondamunda Yard.
Rourkela Steel Plant’s Role in Strategic Sectors
RSP currently produces:
Plates, Hot Rolled (HR) Coils, Spiral Welded Pipes, and Electric Resistance Welded Pipes
Cold Rolled Non-Oriented (CRNO) Steel – Used in motors, generators, and transformers
Naval-Grade, Armour-Grade, and Quenched-and-Tempered Plates – Catering to defence and naval applications
With this expansion, SAIL aims to strengthen its position in shipbuilding, railways, LPG cylinder production, and the automotive sector.
SAIL’s Position in India’s Steel Industry
SAIL operates under the Ministry of Steel and is among India’s top three steel manufacturers. Besides RSP, SAIL runs four other integrated steel plants:
Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) – Chhattisgarh
Bokaro Steel Plant – Jharkhand
Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) – West Bengal
Burnpur Steel Plant – West Bengal
With this major expansion, RSP is set to become a key contributor to India’s growing steel demand, reinforcing its role in critical infrastructure and industrial development.
