On October 13, 2024, NMDC Steel Limited celebrated a significant milestone, its second anniversary, at the Nagarnar Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh. This public sector enterprise, operating under the Ministry of Steel, has made remarkable strides since its inception, with its leadership gathering to reflect on achievements and present a roadmap for the future. The event was graced by key figures, including Amitava Mukherjee, the Chairman and Managing Director, and other directors, who emphasized the company's commitment to enhancing India’s steel production capabilities.
Amitava Mukherjee, in his address, expressed pride in the progress made within the past two years. He highlighted the company’s resolve to contribute significantly to India’s steel output while transforming the Bastar region through the "Ispati Irada," which translates to a "will of steel." This ethos has been pivotal in driving NSL’s ambitions to meet the burgeoning infrastructure needs of the nation.
The achievements of NSL in its first two years have been nothing short of impressive. Following the First Blow-In of the Blast Furnace on August 12, 2023, the company swiftly began production, generating its first hot metal just three days later. By August 24, it produced its final product, hot-rolled coil, in a record timeframe of nine days. Such rapid advancements demonstrate NSL’s operational efficiency and strategic importance within the Indian steel sector.
Another noteworthy accomplishment is the plant's production statistics. The Nagarnar Steel Plant reached a cumulative output of 1 million metric tons of hot metal in a mere 226 days. By July 21, 2024, this figure escalated to 1.5 million metric tons. Additionally, on August 11, NSL marked its first million metric tons of liquid steel production, followed closely by 1 million metric tons of HR coil production on August 20. These milestones not only highlight the plant's rapid ramp-up but also solidify NSL's role in supporting India’s ambitious steel production targets.
Looking ahead, the Nagarnar Steel Plant is set to increase its output significantly. The target production is 210,000 metric tons of hot metal and 150,000 metric tons of HR coil consistently by the third quarter of FY25. Currently, the plant is achieving approximately 125,000 metric tons of HR coil monthly. The leadership remains optimistic about breaking even soon, reinforcing NSL’s strategic position in the market.
