Himachal: More Steel plants in Sirmour & Mandi
Shimla: Union Steel Ministry is planing to expand manufacturing and marketing network, in partnership with private sector, to help increase consumption of steel products in Himachal.
A delegation discussed the plan with a team of the state government. As per the information besides setting up a processing plant at Kandrori for which land had already been acquired, the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) would set up two more plants in Sirmour and Mandi districts. Rathriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) would expand its marketing network in the state by appointing dealers in seven districts, including Una, Hamirpur, Shimla, Solan, Kullu, Mandi and Sirmour.
The major items proposed to be manufactured in the state included TMT iron bars, small diameter drinking water supply pipes, angle irons for erecting transmission towers, steel utensils and other such items which could be made by local entrepreneurs. Besides supplying basic raw material, SAIL would also have a buy-back or marketing arrangement with private parties if they so wished.
According to the information Kandrori would be completed in three years’ time at a cost of Rs 80 crore to Rs 90 crore. SAIL would hire the service of MECON, a consultancy company, for preparing feasibility reports for various projects to be taken up in partnership with private parties.
