Hon'ble Union Minister for Steel Shri Virbhadra Singh dedicated the new 0.8-million tonne Slab Caster Complex in SMS-II of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to the nation today on 11th July ÔÇÖ09. The new slab caster complex has been installed at a sanctioned expenditure of over Rs. 520 crore. The Minister also laid the foundation stone of a brand new 4-million tonne per annum capacity SMS-III complex at BSP which will come up at an estimated cost of around Rs. 3,500 crore. Shri Singh is presently in Bhilai on his maiden visit, accompanied by Shri S.K. Roongta, Chairman, SAIL and Shri George Elias, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India.
Addressing members of the Bhilai collective after his arrival, Shri Singh congratulated them for their excellent performance and work culture. Shri Singh expressed hope that as SAILÔÇÖs flagship plant it would lead the way in faster implementation of the companyÔÇÖs massive modernisation & expansion plan. BSP is presently implementing a programme to achieve hot metal production capacity enhancement to 7.5 million tonnes per annum.
The Steel Minister also acknowledged the contribution of the countryÔÇÖs first Prime Minister, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru whose visionary leadership provided the country with steel and hydro-electric projects and a scientific temperament. Steel plants and units like Bhilai also provide a unique opportunity for emotional integration of the country, he said. Shri Singh lauded Bhilai for having won the Prime MinisterÔÇÖs Trophy for best integrated steel plant in the country seven times. He also lauded BSPÔÇÖs performance on the CSR front. Apprising the Bhilai collective of the Governments ambitious plans for growth of the Indian steel industry, and his MinistryÔÇÖs plan of action to ensure that the industry is globally competitive, Shri Singh urged that all expansion and modernisation projects be completed on time.
Addressing the collective, Chairman SAIL, Shri Roongta congratulated the Bhilai collective for their excellent performance in 2008-09, which was exemplary inspite of the recession in second half of the fiscal year. Bhilai has been in the forefront not only for its performance and work culture. He thanked HonÔÇÖble Minister for taking keen interest in the progress of SAILÔÇÖs modernisation & expansion plan and the support and guidance of the entire Ministry of Steel.
Addressing the collective Shri George Elias, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Steel, Government of India said that Bhilai is the best example of a cosmopolitan culture. It is also the flagship unit of SAIL. He apprised the collective of the massive modernisation and expansion plan of SAIL and informed that the HonÔÇÖble Minister would be keenly reviewing the progress so that the targets are achieved by 2012.
Earlier Managing Director, Bhilai Steel Plant, Shri R Ramaraju delivered the welcome address. Shri Ramaraju thanked the Minister for having chosen Bhilai for his first visit to a steel plant. He acknowledged that BhilaiÔÇÖs unique strength is its work culture and the dedicated and sincere workforce.
The new slab caster has been installed in SMS-II along with one ladle furnace and RH degasser, both of 130-tonne capacity. Besides further enhancing BhilaiÔÇÖs steel-making capabilities, the new caster will produce superior quality slabs, especially of API 65 and IPI 90 grade steel. It will facilitate replacement and modernisation of existing casters and make way for additional steel production of 0.165 million tonnes per annum.
Commencement of structural work of the SMS-III complex gives fresh impetus to BSPÔÇÖs modernisation & expansion plan. The major benefits of the project are that BSP shall be producing clean steel of superior quality with environment-friendly and energy-efficient technology, and 100% steel production will be through the concast route. SMS-III, which is scheduled to be completed by December 2011, is going to be equipped with state-of-the art technology and modern quality control systems. Two main packages a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) shop complex with 3 converters of 160-tonne capacity each and annual capacity of 4.11 million tonnes, and a continuous casting plant with 4 casters of total annual capacity of 4 million tones will comprise the SMS-III complex.
UNION STEEL MINISTER INAUGURATES NEW SLAB CASTER AT BHILAI, LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR RS. 3500-CR. SMS-III COMPLEX
PhotoCaption- Hon'ble Union Steel Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh dedicating Slab Caster to the nation at SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant.Also seen in the picture are Chairman, SAIL, Shri S.K.Roongta (3rd from left), Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Shri George Elias (2nd from right) and Managing Director, Bhilai Steel Plant, Shri R.Raju (2nd from left)
