India’s aggressive push to double its steel production by 2030 has drawn international scrutiny, with environmental experts warning that its reliance on coal-heavy processes could hinder global climate goals. A recent report highlights that only 12 per cent of the 300 million metric tons capacity targeted under the 2017 National Steel Policy has materialized, raising doubts about feasibility and sustainability. The use of blast furnaces and direct reduced iron (DRI) processes, both carbon-intensive, remains central to India’s expansion plan.
In market news, Tata Steel’s stock rose 1.86 per cent to ₹161.60 on May 21, outperforming the broader market, signaling investor confidence in the sector’s growth potential. Meanwhile, Mahamaya Steel Industries also posted notable gains, supported by strong fundamentals.
Despite this momentum, India’s core sector growth fell to a mere 0.5 per cent in April, an eight-month low, possibly reflecting near-term demand challenges for steel in infrastructure and construction sectors.
With rising global climate pressure, India’s steel policy may need to pivot toward cleaner technologies to balance growth and sustainability.
