In response to India’s growing infrastructure needs, the Ministry of Steel has projected the country will require an installed steelmaking capacity of 400 million tonnes (MT) by 2035, nearly double the current capacity of around 160–170 MT. The announcement underscores the government’s long-term vision to support large-scale infrastructure projects including roads, railways, airports, and urban development, which are key drivers of steel demand.
Speaking at a recent industry interaction, ministry officials highlighted the critical need for domestic capacity augmentation to meet future demand, stressing that a robust steel sector is essential to sustain the momentum of India’s economic growth. As part of this push, the government is also encouraging private players to invest in capacity expansion and adopt environmentally sustainable technologies in steel production. Alongside capacity goals, the Ministry of Steel also raised concerns about the growing threat of substandard and low-cost steel imports, particularly in light of global overcapacity and trade imbalances. Officials warned that dumped imports, often priced below cost and failing to meet Indian quality standards, could not only hurt domestic producers but also compromise the integrity of public infrastructure.
The government is reportedly reviewing its existing trade policies and exploring safeguard mechanisms to ensure that only high-quality steel enters the country. This includes stricter quality control orders (QCOs), tighter import regulations, and possible anti-dumping duties, if necessary. This dual focus on expanding capacity and protecting quality aligns with the national vision of making India a global steel manufacturing hub while also ensuring that the backbone of its infrastructure remains strong and reliable.
