Assocham, asked the government to grant infrastructure status to slurry pipelines to address the bulk transportation needs of the steel sector.

The industry chamber said the steel sector is facing logistical problems due to poor infrastructure for supply of iron ore and coal.

“Moving iron ore and coal by pipelines in slurry form has advantages like low operating costs, higher availability and is environment-friendly. Existing railway lines are almost reaching a saturation point,” it said in its suggestions for the National Steel Policy (NSP).