OREANDA-NEWS. August 23, 2011. The Chairman of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Mr C.S. Verma, visited Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Chhattisgarh on August 20, 2011 to review the progress of modernisation & expansion (M&E) activities being implemented in the plant at a cost of about Rs. 17,200 crore. A day later, Mr Verma also visited the Rajhara and Dalli mines, which provide raw material for BSP. SAIL has laid a thrust upon upon timely implementation of the company's M&E programme.

SAIL Chairman Mr C.S. Verma reviewing implementation of modernisation & expansion programme at Bhilai Steel Plant

Inspecting project sites along with BSP CEO Mr Pankaj Gautam and senior officers of the plant, Mr Verma expressed satisfaction over the progress made in installation of Bhilai's new Blast Furnace # 8. Coming up with an investment of Rs. 1,579 crore, BF #8 will be the biggest blast furnace of Bhilai with an annual hot metal production capacity of 2.8 million tonnes (MT). Interacting with senior officers of BSP, Chairman SAIL urged them to closely monitor every step of the M&E programme and ensure adherence to timelines by equipment suppliers.

SAILChairman Mr C.S. Verma interacting with mine officers at Dalli-Rajhara mines

During the visit Mr. Verma witnessed operations in Coke Oven Battery (COB) # 10, currently under hot repair, and BF # 7. Chairman, SAIL also visited the main M&E project sites, including COB # 11, Sinter Plant # 3 (in which a second sinter machine would be installed), Steel Melting Shop # 3 and Bar & Rod Mill. He also reviewed work at the ultra-modern Universal Rail Mill being set up at the plant at a cost of Rs. 1,200 crore. At Dalli-Rajhara, Mr. Verma witnessed the crushing, screening and washing processes and interacted with officers of the mines.

In a press conference held in Bhilai, Mr. Verma informed that SAIL would invest Rs. 10,264 crore on development of its mines, adding that the company's total iron ore requirement would increase from the present 23.2 MT to a post-expansion level of 39 MT. The entire iron ore requirement would be met from captive sources, he said. Underlining the importance of research & development in the steel industry, Mr. Verma informed mediapersons that the company is ready with an R&D masterplan which it is going to place before the government soon.