Govt mulls setting up taskforce to achieve 300 MT steel output

The government is considering formation of a task force to achieve 300 million tonnes (MT) steel output target in next 10 years, besides setting up of a national institute for steel sector.
"For long we have been talking about 300 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) target for production by 2025... I recommend formation of a taskforce, comprising of representatives from each sphere of the Indian steel industry (be it public or private producer, raw material supplier, technology provider or a logistics firm)," Minister of State for Steel and Mines Vishnu Deo Sai said at Ficci's 'Steel Summit' here.
The minister further said that though there are many constituents in the eco-system that doubt the achievement of the target, "we, however, firmly believe that if we channelise our energies into the right direction, the target is very much achievable."

In order to achieve such huge targets, he said, it is necessary that all stakeholders join hands and rise above internal conflicts to work as one unit and head strongly towards the goal.
He added that with such a target in foresight and the scale that has already been achieved, it is necessary that a national level institute dedicated to Indian steel industry becomes operational.
"This institute should act as a nodal learning and knowledge dissemination point for enhancing skill development, technology enhancement, research and development and other technical efficiencies for Indian steel manufacturers," he said.

The proposed institute should have expertised guidance from existing national level institutes like IITs, IIMs and others and it should also be capable of guiding the domestic manufacturers on foreign collaborations, he said.

"I am sure such an institute would pave way for long-term exponential growth of the Indian steel industry," he added.
He said developing capabilities of Indian steel industry around modern day requirements is another area that he would like to touch upon.
"One such area is the Cold Rolled Grain Oriented... It is a critical input for the manufacturing of transformers which is key for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to end-users," he said.
Only five global steel makers have the technology to produce such steel. India lags in this respect and dependent on imports to meet domestic requirements, he said.

"There have been some steps in the direction with the individual players but a concrete and dedicated output is yet to be achieved," he added.
Last year, it was decided in a high-level meeting that push will be given towards creating domestic manufacturing capabilities in advanced materials, alloys and composites and also treble the country's steel production capacity to 300 MT by 2025.
At present, the country's crude capacity for steel production is 96 MT per annum.