Visakhapatnam: As part of its plans to increase production capacities, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) has submitted a proposal to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) seeking nod to revamp the capacity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) from the existing 6.3 mtpa (million tonnes per annum) to 7.3 mtpa. The capital cost of the expansion project is estimated at around Rs 10,200 crore.

According to the prefeasibility report submitted to the MoEF, RINL has said the earlier environmental clearance that was received from the ministry was for increasing hot metal production from 4 mtpa to 6.5 mtpa, liquid steel production from 3.5 to 5.3 mtpa, saleable steel from 3.17 to 5.72 mtpa, coal chemicals from 0.18 to 0.23 mtpa and power generation from 235 mw to 384 mw. Now, RINL intends to expand its capacity of liquid steel production from 6.3 to 7.3 mtpa.

According to RINL, “During commissioning and revamping of the equipment of 6.3 mtpa expansion programme, RINL adopted the ‘Best Available Technologies (BAT)’ which help in reduction of pollution and increase in productivity. After reviewing the detailed design and technology options, it was seen that the plant can achieve 7.3 mtpa of liquid.”

The proposal would be primarily based on revamping of Blast furnace 1 and 2, Sinter plant 1 and 2, Steel Melting Shop-1 and installation of convertor-3 (1 X 150 T capacity ) and caster-4 (1 x 5-strand combi-caster). The production of hot metal and liquid steel will be around 7.5 mtpa and 7.3 mtpa, respectively after the above expansion and modernization schemes are executed, the report stated.