Government plans to revive VISL Steel plant with 1000 crore

The Government of India is seriously planning to revive Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant (VISL) of SAIL in Karnataka. For this, the government of India has earmarked Rs 1000 crore for the modernization and expansion of this plant. Minister of Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar recently visited the plant along with Minister for Chemical and Fertilizer to give final shape to this proposal. 

During this visit Tomar said, “The Ministry is trying to ensure availability of raw material to VISL and once that is done, the government intends to revive VISL by modernization and expansion of its facilities with an  investment of Rs. 1000 crore.”  This investment would come after the approval of the SAIL board. As far as availability of raw material is concerned, it is planned that state government will allot 140 hectate of NEB range Sandur Taluk, Bellary district to VISL, after the settlement of the case in high court. “I have held two meetings with Hon’ble Chief Minister, Karnataka and raised the issue of allotment of mines including 240 Ha of iron ore mines, in the Ramanadurga area to SAIL, VISL for iron ore security. The CM assured to actively consider the matter on priority basis,” Tomar added. 

It is important to note that Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant, Bhadravati. VISL started operation in the year 1923.  The plant is a pioneer in the production of Alloy & Special steels and has a wide customer base which includes defence, railways, automobile, engineering sector and tool making industry. Tomar also met with the representative of executive association and employee unions, who were long demanding for the revival of the plant. Their main demand was that SAIL should make investment to revive the VISL Steel Plant.