Rs 4,000 crore DPR to revive Bhadravati steel plant ready, says H D Kumaraswamy

Shivamogga: Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Sunday that a detailed project report to revive the now-defunct Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel plant in Bhadravati has been prepared.

“The Steel Authority of India will invest Rs 4,000 to revive the VISL plant and keep it functional for next 50 years. The Plant will start production based on the demand from the railway and defence sectors. Two DPRs have been prepared -  for exploring the market and to study new technology,” the Union minister said.

“The Union Cabinet had taken a decision to close the Bhadravati steel plant. I have urged the prime minister to reconsider the decision on closure. We are making sincere efforts to revive the plant and get it going. Efforts are underway to get a captive mine for the plant. I will give you complete details about the revival plan in January,” he said.

The union minister on Saturday visited Sir M Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant in Bhadravathi city for the second time and held discussions with officials regarding the revival of the plant. He held discussions with senior officials and technical experts on the measures to revive the plant.

Addressing the protesting workers at the plant, he said, “This plant, built even before Independence by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Sir M Visvesvaraya, has made a significant contribution to the nation’s steel sector. Therefore, the government under PM Narendra Modi is actively considering all possibilities to revive it. Since becoming the steel minister, I have visited this plant for the second time. My visit itself is evidence of how seriously the Centre is taking the revival of the plant,” he added.