Andhra Pradesh   

SIIL plans big on expansion

KOTHAGUDEM: The Paloncha based Sponge Iron India Limited (SIIL) would emerge as an integrated steel plant to produce 2.5 lakh tonnes of steel per annum once the expansion programme was completed. Moves were afoot for completing the process of merger of SIIL with the NMDC well ahead of the six months schedule given by the Union government, according to V. K. Uppal, Chairman and Managing Director.

He visited the plant today and addressed its employees on the future plans for expansion.

He told The Hindu that the NMDC had provided Rs. 325 crores for the expansion of the SIIL which was likely to cost about Rs. 370 crores. Quoting the NMDC authorities, he said there was no dearth of money for the expansion of the SIIL. The cost of the entire expansion programme would be borne by the NMDC after the completion of the process of merger which started in 2005.

The Cabinet approved the proposal for merger of SIIL with the NMDC on May 22 last. It would be the major steel project via the sponge iron route once it was completed.

It was what exactly the former Chief Minister, Jalagam Vengala Rao dreamt about some 30 years ago. The feasibility report for the expansion was already prepared. The application for pollution clearances was already filed and clearances would be obtained soon.

He explained that the SIIL expansion would comprise of the establishment of two kilns of one lakh tonne each for production of sponge iron, four induction furnaces of 20 tonne capacity each, a continuous casting machine for billet making and a 45 mw power plant for its captive consumption.

The expansion programme would be completed by 2010. The NMDC would also spend huge amounts on corporate social responsibility schemes for the welfare of the people living around the plant.

Steps were taken for acquiring the land including that of the AP steels- a closed unit.

The SILL would take another 10 acres of land from the APIIC. He said that the SIIL would be able to provide some 350 jobs additionally besides creating indirect employment for over 1,000 people.

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