India's minister of state for steel Dr. Akhilesh Das has announced the approval "in principle" of the expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
The proposed expansion plan of RSP envisages the increase of hot metal output from 2.12 million per annum in 2006-2007 to 4.5 million mt per annum, at a cost of Rupees 76.68 billion ($1.9 billion).
Dr. Das also stated that in addition to the generation of direct employment, the expansion in question is likely to create employment opportunities for the ancillary and other support industries in the region.
RSP's wide and sophisticated product range includes various flat, tubular and coated products.