Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), a public sector steel producer under Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), has initiated the process to privatise its firefighting, prevention, and rescue services-marking a strategic shift in how the facility manages its critical infrastructure functions. The plant has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting private players to take over these operations, which were previously handled by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
The contract, valued at ₹18.24 crore, will span a period of 24 months. Interested bidders were required to submit their proposals by 3 PM on July 14, with the bid opening scheduled for July 15. According to the EOI document, the scope of work includes 24×7 firefighting services, emergency response, fire prevention audits, rescue operations, and compliance with industrial safety standards across the expansive steel manufacturing complex.
This development is part of VSP’s ongoing effort to enhance operational efficiency and reduce overheads by outsourcing key non-core services. In recent months, the plant has already moved to privatise other auxiliary functions, including the management of its sinter plant and raw material handling systems. By transferring the responsibility of specialized services to expert agencies, VSP aims to upgrade safety mechanisms, adopt modern firefighting technologies, and streamline internal processes.
Industry observers view this as a pragmatic move, especially given the financial pressures faced by state-owned enterprises in the capital-intensive steel sector. While critics have raised concerns about the implications of reducing in-house control over essential services, plant officials maintain that safety and performance standards will remain strictly regulated under the new arrangement.
