Bhubaneswar- A national workshop focusing on the future direction of India’s steel industry began today in Bhubaneswar. The Ministry of Steel has organized this two-day “Chintan Shivir” to bring together policymakers, industry heads, experts and private sector representatives for strategic discussions. Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy formally inaugurated the event, setting the stage for collaborative dialogue on policy and innovation.
The workshop saw the presence of Union Minister of State for Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Steel Ministry Secretary Sandeep Poundrik and Odisha Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma. Top officials from leading government undertakings including SAIL, NMDC, MOIL, MECON and MSTC, as well as domain specialists from INSDAG, ISCA and BISAG, joined the programme. Representatives from major private steel producers like Tata Steel and JSW were also part of the deliberations.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Kumaraswamy credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for steering the domestic steel sector towards growth and stability. He stressed the industry’s crucial role in India’s development and emphasized boosting production capacity, encouraging innovation and strengthening self-reliance.
The Minister highlighted the significance of adopting Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and digital technology to enhance operational performance. He called for greater investment in research and development to make India’s steel ecosystem globally competitive.
Minister Srinivasa Varma reaffirmed that steel is the backbone of India’s infrastructure expansion. He remarked that every discussion held at the Chintan Shivir is aligned with improving the sector’s contribution to national progress.
Odisha Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma said the state is uniquely advantaged due to its rich mineral reserves and coastal access, making it a prime location for steel and other industrial investments. He noted that the state continues to emerge as a major centre for metal-based industries.
Steel Ministry Secretary Sandeep Poundrik emphasized the need for platforms that allow stakeholders to address challenges, explore opportunities and align with the Prime Minister’s vision for the sector. He pointed out that the participation of private players alongside government enterprises will help in sharing global best practices.
He also urged Central Public Sector Enterprises to focus on innovation through in-house expertise. Young professionals were encouraged to bring forward fresh ideas and the best performers in an internal competition were invited to present their concepts during the workshop.
The first day covered a range of themes including technology-driven upgrades, indigenous innovation, operational efficiency and sustainable mining practices. Participants discussed ways to improve productivity, grow capacity and strengthen infrastructure in the steel value chain.
The workshop aims to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for developing the industry through collaboration between government, experts and industry leaders. On the second day, sessions will continue with emphasis on long-term strategies, partnerships and actionable plans to boost India’s economic and industrial growth through a stronger steel sector.
