In a significant policy move aimed at accelerating industrial development in eastern India, the Union Government has announced the formation of a high-level committee to address hurdles in the expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) in Odisha. The initiative, led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and approved by Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, is expected to play a critical role in bolstering domestic steel production, reducing dependency on imports, and generating employment in the region.
The decision was made during a strategic meeting held in New Delhi, where Minister Pradhan emphasized the importance of Rourkela as a cornerstone in the national steel framework. He stressed that resolving existing bottlenecks at the plant would not only increase production capacity but also contribute significantly to the socio-economic upliftment of Odisha and surrounding regions. The steel minister, acknowledging the urgency of the matter, assured his full support in constituting the committee and initiating time-bound actions.
The move aligns with the government’s broader Purvodaya initiative, which aims to transform eastern India into a steel manufacturing hub by leveraging the region’s natural resources and strategic location. Rourkela, being one of India’s oldest and most prominent integrated steel plants under the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), is central to this vision.
The newly formed committee will focus on policy streamlining, land acquisition, environmental clearances, and infrastructure upgrades to expedite the expansion process. It will also explore collaboration with local authorities to ensure smooth implementation.
This development has been widely reported in national media outlets such as Times of India, Odisha Bytes, and First India, reflecting its importance in India’s industrial policy landscape.
The RSP expansion is expected to significantly contribute to India’s ambition of becoming a global steel powerhouse.
