There have been discussions amongst the Union and State Governments for a comprehensive action plan to expand the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). A member of the Union Ministry of Steel held a meeting with the Chief Minister (CM) N. Chandrababu, for delegating this initiative on Monday. The discussions mainly focused on the follow-up actions required after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre approved a package for the steel plant’s revitalisation.
The meeting was attended by Union Steel Ministry Secretary Sandeep Poundrik, Joint Secretary Abhijit Narendra, NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee, RINL in-charge CMD Ajit Kumar Saxena, MECON CMD S.K. Verma and MSTC Limited CMD Manobendra Ghosal.
Union Minister of State for Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, thanked the CM for deploying the State Special Protection Force (SPF) to ensure the security of the steel plant. CM also discussed the major issues to arise, such as the regular reviews of the plant’s progress and the possibility of restarting the third blast furnace along with the existing two furnaces, with the members of the meeting.
Mr. Naidu emphasised that the safeguarding of the Vizag Steel Plant is of the government’s concern as the people of Andhra Pradesh have an emotional connection with Vizag Steel Plant (RINL) He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government for considering the State’s request and announcing financial assistance for the steel plant’s revival, reports said.
The CM stressed the necessity for both the Union and State governments to work together for the restoration support for this purpose. Furthermore, Mr. Naidu pointed out that the expected results can only be achieved if the plant improves efficiency and enhances its operational capacity while reducing maintenance costs.