PMINDIA

Namaskar!

Wishing you all a very Happy Diwali and New Year! It has been possible to meet all of you today on the occasion of the New Year through technology. May the New Year bring you happiness, peace and prosperity, I pray for all my dear brothers and sisters of Gujarat.

Many congratulations to all of you on the expansion of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Hazira Plant.

This steel plant is not only bringing investment, but many doors of new possibilities are also opening for the future. An investment of more than 60,000 crore rupees will create many employment opportunities for the youth of Gujarat and the country. The crude steel production capacity at Hazira Steel Plant will increase from 9 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes annually after this expansion. I congratulate Lakshmi Mittal ji, Aditya and his entire team.

Friends,

Our country, which has entered the ‘Amrit Kaal’, is now eager to move towards the goals of a developed India of 2047. The role of the steel industry is going to be very important in the development journey of the country, because when the steel sector in the country is strong, the infrastructure sector becomes robust. When the steel sector expands, so does the expansion of roads, railways, airports and ports. As the steel sector grows, new dimensions are added to the construction and automotive sectors. And when the capacity of the steel sector grows, the development of defence, capital goods and engineering products also gets a boost. So far, we have remained satisfied by exporting iron ore. It is very important to evaluate our land assets for economic development. Our iron ore will be properly used in our country with the expansion of such steel plants. The youth of the country will get a lot of jobs and India’s steel industry will also leave a mark in the world market. And I have been told that it is not just the expansion of the plant, but a whole new technology is coming to India along with it. This new technology is going to help a lot in the field of electric vehicle, automobile and other manufacturing sectors. I am sure that this project of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India will prove to be a milestone in the vision of Make in India. This will give new strength to our efforts for a developed and self-reliant India in the steel sector.

Friends,

Today the world is looking at us with great anticipation. India is rapidly moving towards becoming the world’s largest manufacturing hub. And the government is actively engaged in creating the necessary policy environment for the development of this sector. I also congratulate the Gujarat government that the new industrial policy under the leadership of Bhupendrabhai Patel is very visionary towards making Gujarat a manufacturing hub.

Over the last eight years, the Indian steel industry has become the second largest steel producing industry in the world due to collective efforts. There is immense potential for development in this industry. The government’s PLI scheme has paved the way for its expansion, strengthening the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ campaign. This has enabled us to increase production of high-grade steel and reduce our dependence on imports. The use of this high-grade steel has also increased in critical and strategic applications. INS Vikrant is one such example before you. Earlier, we were dependent on other countries for steel used in aircraft carriers. We needed the approval of other countries to strengthen the security of the country. This situation was not good. We needed to become self-reliant to change this situation. And the Indian steel industry accepted this challenge with renewed vigor. Soon, the scientists of DRDO developed the special steel used in the aircraft carrier. Indian companies produced thousands of metric tonnes of steel. And INS Vikrant could become ready with indigenous capability and technology. The country has now set a target of doubling the production capacity of crude steel to promote such capability. As of now, we produce 154 MT of crude steel. Our target is to achieve 300 MT production capacity in the next 9-10 years.

Friends,

When we are moving ahead with the vision of development, then some challenges also have to be taken care of. Carbon emission is one such challenge for the steel industry. Therefore, on the one hand, we are expanding the capacity to produce crude steel and, on the other hand, we are also promoting the use of environment-friendly technologies. Today, India is laying greater emphasis on developing such production technologies, which not only reduce carbon emissions, but also capture and reuse carbon. Circular economy is also being promoted in the country. The government and the private sector are working together in this direction. I am glad that the Hazira project of AM/NS India group is also giving a lot of emphasis on the use of green technology.

Friends,

When everyone starts making efforts towards a goal with full force, then it is not difficult to realize it. The government is committed to take the steel industry to new heights. I am sure that this project will give impetus to the development of the entire region and the steel sector. I once again congratulate the team of AM/NS India and extend my best wishes.

Thanks a lot!