India's steelmaking capacity reaches 222 MTPA, moves closer to 300 MTPA target by 2030
New Delhi, July 24
India's crude steelmaking capacity has reached around 222 million tonnes per annum as of June 2026, marking further progress towards the National Steel Policy target of 300 MTPA by 2030, according to the Ministry of Steel.
The ministry, in its latest update on the steel sector, said the expansion in capacity comes alongside continued investments in infrastructure, plant modernisation and raw material connectivity, aimed at supporting long-term growth in domestic steel production.
As part of these efforts, Bhilai Steel Plant signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) consultancy agreement with MECON to support the timely execution of its expansion from 7 MTPA to 10.2 MTPA. The ministry said the project is expected to strengthen production capabilities through advanced engineering and construction management practices.
The ministry also highlighted measures to improve raw material logistics for the sector. SAIL's Bokaro Steel Plant is set to receive around 8.3 million tonnes of iron ore annually through India's longest steel-sector slurry pipeline connecting Jamda and Bokaro. According to the ministry, the 258-km pipeline will help ensure uninterrupted raw material supply, reduce dependence on rail transport and support the plant's expansion programme.
In another development, MECON and RITES signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue consultancy and infrastructure projects in India and overseas. The partnership will leverage the expertise of both companies in transport, metals, mining and energy sectors to deliver integrated infrastructure solutions and expand their global footprint, the ministry said.
The ministry also noted efforts under the Green Steel Initiative, where 97 producers across 15 states had been issued Green Steel Certificates. The certifications cover products such as TMT Bars, HR/CR Coils, Plates, Wire Rods, and Pipes, reflecting the growing adoption of green steel practices across India's secondary and mid-sized steel producers.
Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy recently reviewed expansion projects, production facilities and sustainability initiatives during a visit to SAIL's IISCO Steel Plant, reiterating the government's focus on capacity expansion and modernisation of the steel sector.
With domestic steel demand continuing to remain strong, the ministry said ongoing capacity additions, infrastructure upgrades and policy support are expected to strengthen India's steel ecosystem and keep the country on track towards achieving its 2030 production capacity target.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see India ramping up steel capacity, but I hope the environmental impact isn't ignored. Green certificates are a start, but real reduction in carbon emissions needs to be the priority.
The Jamda-Bokaro slurry pipeline is a smart move—reducing rail dependency will lower logistics costs and pollution. Hope similar projects come for other steel plants too. 🚂
300 MTPA by 2030 is ambitious, but we need to ensure that the steel industry isn't just expanding for the sake of it. Demand is strong now, but what about when global steel prices fluctuate? We should focus on value-added products, not just tonnage.
Great to see public sector units like SAIL and MECON collaborating. The EPCM agreement for Bhilai expansion shows a structured approach to modernization. However, the real test will be in execution timelines—we've seen delays in the past.
Finally, some attention to green steel! 🟢 If 97 producers already got certificates, that's a solid start. But I hope the government enforces strict carbon standards—otherwise these certifications will just be for show.
India's steel story is impressive—222 MTPA capacity is no small feat. The green initiative and infrastructure focus are
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