Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy Reviews Operations At Salem Steel Plant, Calls For Profitability
From Scrap to Stainless Steel: Union Minister Witnesses Complete Production Cycle at Salem Unit
On his official visit to the Salem Steel Plant (a unit of SAIL), Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, was warmly received by the district administration and plant officials. The Minister was accorded a Guard of Honour on arrival and planted a sapling on the premises, symbolising the government’s commitment to sustainable industrial development.
“Steel is not just a material, it is the backbone of national development. From infrastructure to innovation, our goal is growth with responsibility,” said Kumaraswamy during the visit.
This visit comes as part of the broader vision Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a global leader in steel production, targeting 300 million tonnes by 2030, achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, and building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Minister Witnesses Complete Steelmaking Process at Salem Steel Plant. During his tour of the plant, Kumaraswamy observed first-hand the comprehensive process of steel production from raw scrap to molten metal and finished slabs. The Minister visited critical operational areas including the Scrapyard, Steel Melting Shop, Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), and *Slab Caster. He also witnessed advanced equipment like the Torch Cutting Machine and the transformation of molten iron into hot rolled coils and cold rolling mill.
“The level of technological sophistication and discipline I’ve seen here is commendable. This plant reflects the true spirit of Make in India,” the Minister noted.
The Electric Arc Furnace-based route at Salem plays a key role in cleaner, sustainable steelmaking aligned with India’s decarbonisation commitments.
Focus on Stainless Steel Applications Across Sectors
Kumaraswamy also visited the Cold Rolling Mill, where premium-quality stainless steel is produced for wide-ranging uses. The plant contributes to multiple national priorities by supplying material used in:
- Stainless steel pipes
- Railway Wagons
- Construction of Bridges
- Submersible pump components
- Coin blanks
- SS roof sheets
- Domestic LPG cylinders
“The finished products emerging from this plant touch millions of lives every day from homes to industries,” he stated.
These outputs serve critical sectors such as railways, Defense, energy, infrastructure, and home utilities making Salem Steel Plant a cornerstone in India’s stainless steel ecosystem.
High-Level Review Meeting Held to Enhance Profitability and Capacity
The visit concluded with a high-level review meeting chaired by the Minister along with CMD SAIL, JS Steel, ED Salem Plant which focused on transforming the Salem Steel Plant into a profitable and high-capacity unit. The discussions addressed key bottlenecks, explored strategic interventions, and prioritised increasing production in speciality steel, a segment vital for defence, railways, aerospace, and precision engineering.
“We are committed to revitalising this strategic asset. Speciality steel is the future, and Salem Steel plant can become more cost-efficient by using renewable energy which includes solar and wind. There should be full capacity utilisation and deciding on the final product mix” said Kumaraswamy.
The review aligns with the Prime Minister’s call for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, emphasising high-value steel production to reduce imports and strengthen domestic capability.
The Union Minister also held meetings with labour union representatives and assured them of solving their issues.
The Salem Steel Plant visit underscored the Government of India’s commitment to revitalising its key industrial units under the leadership of PM Modi and the dynamic guidance of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. With a clear roadmap towards 300 MT steel production by 2030, Net Zero by 2070, and Viksit Bharat by 2047, India’s steel sector is forging ahead into a new era of innovation, self-reliance, and global competitiveness.
