Mr CS Verma chairman of Steel Authority of India Limited visited Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh on August 20th 2011 to review the progress of modernization & expansion activities being implemented in the plant at a cost of about INR 17,200 crore. A day later, Mr Verma also visited the Rajhara and Dalli mines, which provide raw material for BSP. SAIL has laid a thrust upon timely implementation of the company's M&E program.
Inspecting project sites along with BSP CEO Mr Pankaj Gautam and senior officers of the plant, Mr Verma expressed satisfaction over the progress made in installation of Bhilai's new Blast Furnace # 8. Coming up with an investment of INR 1,579 crore, BF #8 will be the biggest blast furnace of Bhilai with an annual hot metal production capacity of 2.8 million tonnes. Interacting with senior officers of BSP, Chairman SAIL urged them to closely monitor every step of the M&E program and ensure adherence to timelines by equipment suppliers.
During the visit Mr Verma witnessed operations in Coke Oven Battery # 10, currently under hot repair, and BF # 7. Chairman, SAIL also visited the main M&E project sites, including COB # 11, Sinter Plant # 3 (in which a second sinter machine would be installed), steel melting Shop # 3 and Bar & Rod Mill. He also reviewed work at the ultra modern Universal Rail Mill being set up at the plant at a cost of INR 1,200 crore. At Dalli-Rajhara, Mr Verma witnessed the crushing, screening and washing processes and interacted with officers of the mines.
In a press conference held in Bhilai, Mr Verma informed that SAIL would invest INR 10,264 crore on development of its mines, adding that the company's total iron ore requirement would increase from the present 23.2 million tonne to a post-expansion level of 39 million tonne. The entire iron ore requirement would be met from captive sources, he said. Underlining the importance of research & development in the steel industry, Mr Verma informed media persons that the company is ready with an R&D masterplan which it is going to place before the government soon.
