Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy stressed the need for timely expansion of the IISCO Steel Plant in West Bengal to boost India's steel sector. He began a three-day visit to the state with a detailed review of the plant, one of the country's oldest integrated steel facilities under the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
Review of IISCO Steel Plant Operations
During his visit on July 12, 2026, Kumaraswamy assessed the plant's current operations and expansion plans. The IISCO plant, located in Burnpur, has a crude steel production capacity of approximately 2.5 million tonnes per annum. The minister emphasized that timely completion of modernization and expansion projects is critical to meet growing domestic demand and reduce imports.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Steel, Kumaraswamy said, "The expansion of IISCO is vital for achieving the government's target of 300 million tonnes of steel production capacity by 2030. Timely execution will enhance self-reliance and create employment opportunities."
Impact on India's Steel Industry
India is the world's second-largest steel producer, with crude steel output of around 125 million tonnes in 2025. The government aims to increase capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030-31. The IISCO expansion is expected to add 1.5 million tonnes of capacity, contributing significantly to this goal.
The minister also highlighted the plant's role in supplying steel to key sectors such as railways, defense, and infrastructure. He urged SAIL management to adopt modern technologies and ensure environmental compliance.
Three-Day Visit Agenda
Kumaraswamy's visit includes interactions with workers, union leaders, and local officials. He is scheduled to review other SAIL facilities in the region and discuss strategies to improve productivity and profitability. The visit underscores the government's focus on revitalizing public sector steel plants.
The minister's emphasis on timely expansion comes amid concerns about project delays in the steel sector. According to industry experts, delays in capacity addition could hinder India's ambition to become a global manufacturing hub.
