Water shortage at the Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd’sVisakhapatnam Steel Plant has become acute, disrupting its operations.
Trade unions have urged the State government to act immediately to augment water supply, as the operation of critical units are likely to be hit. Several representations have been submitted to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to intervene and direct the authorities to revive normal supply from Yeleswaram in East Godavari to Kaniti balancing reservoir through Yeleru Canal.
RINL CMD P Madhusudan met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu recently during the latter’s visit to the city and briefed him about the critical situation. A spokesman of VSP said the management was forced to scale down production, as the storage level in the reservoir had dropped below the critical level and had reached the ‘super critical stage.’
Production at the coke ovens, sinter plant and captive power plant has been regulated to minimise water consumption.
Sources said one of the blast furnaces may have to be shut down if the position did not improve. Alternate day supply has been introduced at Ukkunagaram Township after appealing to the residents to reduce water use.
The spokesman said at least 18 days’ storage is required for safe shutdown of the plant in case of emergency. As the level is nearing that stage, contingency plans have been drawn up to regulate the production further for the safety of the equipment and employees.