Visakhapatnam Steel Plant CMD A.P Choudhary has said coke-making is one of the most crucial components in steel-making and the best practies should be adopted to cut costs and improve quality.

He was speaking at the operating committee meeting on coal, coke and chemicals in the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) here on Wednesday. He said the meeting would provide useful inputs to improve the health and life of coke oven batteries in Indian steel plants.

Inaugurating the meet, Umesh Chandra, the Director (Operations) of RINL, said, “Coke is the backbone of steel industry.”

P.C Mohapatra, Director (Projects), also addressed the gathering.

Delegates from across the country are participating in the two-day meet.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in