On October 20, 2024, Bhilai Steel Plant's Blast Furnace 8, affectionately named Mahamaya, reached a remarkable milestone by becoming the fastest furnace in Steel Authority of India Limited history to cross the 16 million metric ton mark in cumulative hot metal production. This significant achievement highlights the efficiency and advanced capabilities of the plant, which is a key player in India’s steel production landscape.
BF-8 achieved this milestone just 133 days after crossing the 15 million metric ton mark on June 9, 2024. In comparison, the Rourkela Steel Plant’s similar capacity furnace took 151 days, and the IISCO Steel Plant's furnace required 153 days to make the same leap. This rapid production timeline underscores the effectiveness of the operational strategies and technological advancements implemented at Bhilai Steel Plant.
Since its initial blowing on February 2, 2018, BF-8 has been operational for a total of 2,452 days to reach the 16 MT production level. This is notably more efficient than its counterparts at Rourkela and IISCO Steel Plants, which took 2,544 days and 2,856 days, respectively. Such comparisons further emphasize BF-8’s exceptional performance and position within SAIL's operational framework.
The success of BF-8 can be attributed to its state-of-the-art automation and control systems, which allow for greater precision and efficiency in the production process. These technological enhancements have significantly improved the furnace's output while ensuring high-quality production standards, essential for meeting the growing demand in the steel market.
