Question : EXPANSION OF VISAKHAPATNAM STEEL PLANT

(a) whether the Government have any proposal for expansion of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP); and

(b) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STEEL (SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY)

(a) & (b): Apart from the proposal for installation of IVth Coke Oven Battery at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), there is no proposal with the Government for expansion of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. The proposal for installation of the IVth Coke Oven Battery has been approved by the Government. Details of the propsal are as under:

- The Proposed 4th Coke Oven Battery is to meet the short fall in Blast Furnace (BF) Coke in view of the increased production of hot metal and the shortfall that will arise when the rebuilding programme of the three existing coke oven batteries is taken up.

- The installation of 4th Coke Oven Battery is a technical necessity for sustaining plant operations at higher efficiency.

- The 4th Coke Oven Battery will act as a replacement battery when the existing batteries are taken up for repair / rebuilding. After the rebuilding is completed this battery will function as an additional battery, with some additional investments.

- The 4th Coke Oven Battery will be 7 meters tall and will consist of 67 ovens and will be based on Russian technology. It will thus be similar to the existing three batteries.

- There is a provision in the plant lay-out hence the proposed new battery will be installed in the existing coke oven battery complex adjacent to coke oven battery No.3.

- The 4th Coke Oven Battery is estimated to cost Rs.303 crores.

- The entire cost will be borne by the company from its internal resources.

- The estimated time for completion of the 4th Coke Oven Battery is 36 months.