Bokaro: Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Minister of State Bhupathi Raju Srinivas Verma have made a significant announcement regarding the expansion of Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL). The ministers revealed that BSL’s production capacity will increase from 5.25 million tons to 7.5 million tons, with an investment of ₹20,000 crore. This expansion is expected to create new employment opportunities in the region.
The Union Minister stated that the expansion will directly provide employment to 2,500 people and indirectly benefit 10,000 more. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India self-reliant in steel production by 2030 with a target of 300 million tons, the project will leverage large-scale investments and advanced technology.
BSL was established in 1965, and its blast furnace began operations in 1972. At that time, its production capacity was 1.7 million tons, which has now grown to 5.25 million tons. The current expansion plan includes the installation of a 4,500 cubic meter blast furnace, slab casting, rolling facilities, and the expansion of the sinter plant.
The Union Minister also highlighted efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the plant. The target is to reduce carbon emissions from 2.67 tons per ton of crude steel to 2.2 tons per ton by 2030. Additionally, the plant is working on renewable energy projects, including 30 MW floating solar, 20 MW land-based solar, and 100 MW renewable energy production.
Furthermore, the ministers visited the Tasra coal mines and Chasnala washeries, announcing that these projects would reduce the country’s dependence on imported coking coal. The Tasra mines are expected to produce 3.5 million tons of coal, bolstering the supply of raw materials for steel production.
The Union Minister emphasized the country’s commitment to the vision of a “developed India” by 2047, asserting that these projects will strengthen the nation’s industrial and energy capabilities.
