SAIL has operationalized the new integrated steelmaking facilities under the ongoing modernization and expansion programme at Rourkela Steel Plant. With commencement of country's second biggest Blast furnace 'Durga' in August 2013, RSP has more than doubled its Hot Metal Capacity from a level of 2 MTPA to 4.5 MTPA. Hon'ble Union Minister of Steel and Mines Shri Narendra Singh Tomar made his maiden visit to Rourkela Steel Plant on February 1, 2015 to witness the integrated functioning of the modernized Plant. He was accompanied by Chairman SAIL, Sh CS Verma, Joint Secretary, Steel, Sh Sunil Barthwal and other SAIL Directors.
During the visit, Hon'ble Minister inaugurated the rolling facilities of the new 4300 mm wide state-of-the-art Plate Mill. The new plate mill is one of the widest plate mills in the country with latest features enabling it to roll plates of very high strength (API X 100). The mill includes advanced features like computerized control system for Plan View Rolling (PVR) process to maximize yield and high capacity levellers with hydraulic control to produce distortion free plates. The mill has a capacity of 1.0 Million Tonne (MTPA) with provision for expanding it to 1.8 MTPA in future.
Addressing the workforce of RSP during his visit, Sh Tomar said "I am very happy to be here amongst the RSP collective. I want to congratulate them for putting their best foot forward for quick stabilization of all facilities. I am sure they will do their best for ramping up production from the newly operationalized facilities further to reap full benefits of the modernization."
Later in the day, the minister also reviewed the CSR activities undertaken by RSP under Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. He was happy to note that SAIL's RSP Plant has taken up "Swachha Vidyalay Abhiyan" in a big way by targeting to construct 355 toilets in various schools during the year. He laid the foundation stone for construction of a toilet block as a part of the Swachhata Abhiyan in Jhirpani high school. Hon'ble Minister also laid the Foundation Stone for the construction of an Art Gallery in Nehru Traffic Park.
Pictuire Caption:
Hon'ble Minister Sh Narendra Singh Tomar (standing at extreme left) at the new Plate Mill of Rourkela Steel Plant. Also seen in the picture standing from left to right after Sh Tomar are Chairman, SAIL, Sh CS Verma, Joint Secretary, Steel, Sh Sunil Barthwal and PS to the Minister & IAS Sh Nikunj Srivastava.