Delhi may host World Steel Summit

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) Steelmakers have proposed a World Steel Summit in the national capital to create awareness about using steel instead of wood, plastic and concrete.

Representatives of steel sector say present usage of steel in the country is limited and needs to be expanded. The coverage can be extended to airports, runways, high-rise buildings and rural agricultural sectors, they say.

The present per capita consumption of steel in the country is 30 kg per year against the world average of 150 kg. The developed countries use 400 kg of steel per capita per annum. In India, the lowest consumption of steel is in the rural sector--only 2 kg per person.

The meeting, presided over by Steel Secretary, R S Pandey, decided to set up a Steering Committee to formulate and coordinate various aspects of the awareness campaign. The campaign will adopt various short-term and long-term strategies to create a sustained demand for steel in the country and oversee the implementation of the awareness campaign, Steel Ministry officials said.

Introduction of quality standards as per the norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards for steel and its products for greater consumer satisfaction is another highlight of the campaign.

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