Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged upon Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh to upgrade the Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute to a full-fledged IIT like educational institutions as had been decided way back in 2004.

The CM also informed the Steel Minister that the dolomite and limestone mines provided to SAIL in Sundergarh district remains unused and work needs to be expedited . Similarly five hectares of unused land of Rourkela Steel Plant be handed over to the state government, he said.

Mr Patnaik raised the issues on Tuesday when Mr Singh called on him. The CM pointed out that the Biju Patnaik National Steel Insittute had been established in 2002 and subsequently in 2004, the central cabinet had decided to upgrade it.

As of now the institute is imparting certificate courses only. The centre should develop it by having BTech, MTech and PhD courses, he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Union Steel Minister visited Kalinga Nagar steel hub in Jajpur district and interacted with MDs/CEO’s of steel units.

Officers from the Central Government and the State Government were also present in the meeting. In his remarks, Union Steel Minister has stated that India has become the second largest producing nation in 2018. In the financial year 2017-18, India has produced more than 100 million tonnes of steel. Indian Steel Industry has come out of the difficulties faced during 2014- 15 and 2015-16 due to various policy interventions by the central government. National Steel Policy and DMI&SP Policy were notified during 2017 giving direction and fillip to the domestic industry, he underlined.

Odisha is rich in minerals and mines and has a potential to produce 100 million tonnes of steel out of 300 million tonnes envisaged in National Steel Policy by the year 2030-31. Kalinganagar is a major industrial hub. Around 15 steel plants are located in this region which include public sector plants like NINL and private sector plants like TATA Steel, Jindal Stainless Limited, Visa Steel, MESCO, etc.

He has expressed the hope that Kalinganagar develops potential to develop downstream facilities which include ferroalloy plants, duct iron pipes, steel furniture, power component manufacturing as well as stainless steel units. Representatives of the Steel Manufacturers talked about iron ore availability .

Industry representatives also mentioned about increased need for utilizing iron ore fines for pellet manufacturing so that precious iron ore can be preserved.