Burnpur (West Bengal): Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy inaugurated a new 84,000 cubic metre Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) water reservoir at the IISCO Steel Plant (ISP) in Burnpur during his three-day visit to West Bengal, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to modernising India’s public sector steel industry.
The reservoir has been built to meet the water requirements of the COB-10 project and support the plant’s proposed 4.08 MTPA expansion, while promoting efficient water conservation through a closed-loop circulation system.
During his visit, Kumaraswamy reviewed key expansion projects, including the COB-12 Stamp Charge Coke Oven Battery, Blast Furnace operations, sustainability initiatives and the plant’s future development roadmap.
The Minister said strategic investments in modern and environmentally sustainable steel plants are essential for strengthening India’s position as a global steel manufacturing hub under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Officials informed him that the IISCO Steel Plant produced 2.9 million tonnes of hot metal during FY 2025-26 and achieved 108 per cent of its rated hot metal and crude steel capacity, besides recording 109 per cent of its saleable steel capacity.
Kumaraswamy also appreciated the plant’s increased capital expenditure, which rose to ₹1,860 crore in FY 2025-26 from ₹689 crore in the previous financial year, along with improvements in procurement transparency and greater participation of MSMEs, SC/ST entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs.
Emphasising worker safety, he praised the adoption of AI-enabled safety systems and digital technologies, stating that employee welfare remains the government’s top priority.
The Union Minister also interacted with labour union representatives, assuring them that genuine concerns relating to employee welfare and working conditions would be addressed through appropriate institutional mechanisms.
During the visit, West Bengal Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Agnimitra Paul met Kumaraswamy, and the two leaders discussed the need for stronger Centre-State coordination to accelerate industrial growth, attract investments and generate employment in West Bengal.
Concluding the visit, Kumaraswamy reiterated the Centre’s commitment to modernising public sector steel plants and expressed confidence that IISCO Steel Plant would emerge as one of India’s leading centres of excellence in steel production while contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
