BS reported that the mineral rich state of Chhattisgarh will be in a position to produce 32% of country’s total steel production by 2015.

Dr Raman Singh CM of Chattisgarh said that “The state has made a good progress in drawing investment in the steel sector and by 2015, it will be in a position to produce 32% of the total steel produced in India.”

He added that likewise, the state will share about 35% of country’s total cement production.

The confidence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister is powered by the major expansion plan designed by the leading steel makers including Jindal Steel and Power Limited state’s largest private investor and Bhilai Steel Plant the flagship entity of the Steel Authority of India Limited.

The JSPL having major facility in Raigarh district will enhance its steel making capacity to 6 million tonne in next three years and later expand it to 10 million tonne. Likewise, BSP is on a modernization and expansion plan to take up its steel making capacity to 7.5 million tonne in next couple of years.

The National Mineral Development Corporation country’s largest iron-ore producer and exporters having major mining operations in Chhattisgarh has also ventured into steel production. The company is setting up a 3 million tonne steel plant near Jagdalpur. There are many small companies in the state that are setting up steel plants. The TATA and Essar groups are also in the line as both the companies have signed memoranda of understanding with the Chhattisgarh government to set up a 5.5 million tonne and 3.2 million tonne steel plants respectively in Bastar region.

(Sourced from BS)