Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy conducted a comprehensive three-day review of IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in Burnpur, West Bengal, focusing on expansion projects, production facilities, and sustainability initiatives. The visit reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening India's public sector steel ecosystem under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
The Minister inaugurated a newly constructed Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) Water Reservoir with a storage capacity of 84,000 cubic metres, developed to meet the water requirements of COB-10 while supporting the future 4.08 MTPA Expansion Project. The integrated system includes a newly constructed Booster Pump House, a dedicated Pump House for COB-10, and a Process Water Pump House currently under construction, which will establish a closed-loop water circulation system to maximize water conservation and improve operational efficiency.
During the operational review, officials reported that the plant achieved 2.9 million tonnes of hot metal production during FY 2025-26, reflecting strong operational performance. The plant operated at 108% of its rated Hot Metal capacity, 108% of Crude Steel capacity, and 109% of Saleable Steel capacity, marking significant operational milestones. Capital expenditure at the plant increased substantially to ₹1,860 crore during FY 2025-26 from ₹689 crore in the previous financial year.
The Minister inspected the COB-12 (Stamp Charge Coke Oven Battery) Project, which includes Battery Proper, Coke Dry Cooling Plant (CDQ), By-Product Plant, and advanced environmental protection systems designed to enhance operational efficiency and promote sustainable steel production. He also visited the Blast Furnace and its Control Room, witnessing live operations and interacting with engineers and employees.
Kumaraswamy emphasized worker safety as the government's foremost priority and appreciated IISCO's adoption of digital technologies and AI-enabled safety interventions. The plant has improved inventory management, enhanced procurement transparency, and expanded vendor participation, particularly through the inclusion of MSMEs, SC/ST entrepreneurs, and women entrepreneurs.
During a meeting with labor union representatives, the Minister addressed concerns relating to employee welfare and working conditions, assuring that genuine issues would be examined sympathetically and resolved through appropriate institutional mechanisms. West Bengal's Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Agnimitra Paul, also met with Kumaraswamy to discuss stronger center-state coordination for accelerating industrial development, strengthening the steel sector, and generating employment opportunities.
The Minister stressed that timely completion of strategic expansion projects is crucial for strengthening India's steel manufacturing capabilities and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He emphasized that close cooperation between the Center and States is essential for unlocking India's manufacturing potential and achieving long-term industrial goals.