Jindal steel achieves 3 million tonne capacity

Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, Mar 10 (UNI) Jindal Steel and Power Limited has achieved an annual three million tonne iron-making capacity with the commissioning of a new blast furnace at its plant here in Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh inaugurated the new blast furnace, which has a hot metal capacity of 1.25 million tonnes per annum, at a function yesterday.

Later, he also dedicated 'O P Jindal Kelo Setu', a steel girder bridge, built at a cost of more than Rs three crores, on the Kelo river.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Singh lauded the efforts being made by the Jindal group for the development of the backward region as well as for protecting environment by maintaining high standards in pollution control. He expressed the hope that JSPL would continue contribution for local area and community development.

JSPL Executive Vice-President and Managing Director Naveen Jindal said the JSPL was considering further expansion to take the Raigarh plant's iron-making capacity to six million tonnes.

He said the JSPL had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government whereby it plans to invest more than Rs 35 crores in education, health care management and environment protection and other infrastructure in the next five years.

An Industrial Training Institute (ITI) is being set up at a cost of Rs 20 crores at the industrial park to impart vocational training in different trades while a hospital with modern facilities is nearing completion, he added.

The Rs 3000 crore turnover company has business interests in the state in steel production, power generation, coal mining and diamond exploration.

Jindal Power Limited, a subsidiary of JSPL, is setting up a coal based 1000 MW (4X 250 MW) Super Thermal Power Plant near village Tamnar. Its first unit of 250 MW is expected to be synchronized in a couple of months and the complete project will be commissioned during the current financial year.

UNI