A new Bharat is rising and at the very foundation of this rise stands steel.
Whether it is highways or homes, renewable energy parks or high-speed rail corridors, smart cities or defence manufacturing hubs India’s decade-long infrastructure revolution has depended deeply on a sector that once stood stagnant but is now forging ahead with confidence and capacity.
In 2014, our steel production was just over 81 million tonnes. Today, it has crossed 152 million tonnes. Capacity has nearly doubled. India is now the world’s second-largest producer of steel, and the only major economy where steel demand is consistently rising.
This transformation is no coincidence. It is the direct result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and his belief that India must build with its own hands, and with its own strength.
Under his leadership, the Ministry of Steel has reoriented the sector around three pillars: strategic investment, self-reliance, and sustainability.
Infrastructure’s hidden backbone
From metro rails to modular airports, from electric vehicle frames to defence-grade alloys steel is everywhere, yet rarely seen. It is what makes the visible possible.
India now builds 30 km of highways every day, up from just 12 km in 2014. These corridors—like the Delhi–Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Samruddhi Mahamarg, or the Purvanchal Expressway—are now constructed with high-strength Indian steel. We’ve reduced our import dependency, accelerated execution timelines, and boosted domestic industry.
Metro rail networks, once restricted to a few metros, now span 900+ km in 20+ cities. From rolling stock to station infrastructure, steel has enabled this expansion. Our airports have more than doubled from 74 in 2014 to over 150 today with smart steel-enabled terminal construction. Under the PM Awas Yojana, over 3 crore homes have been sanctioned, many using Indian steel frames for durability and disaster resilience.
From smart cities to sanitation projects, flyovers to freight terminals, it is Indian steel that is silently building a new India.
Strategic policy, national gains
One of our most important interventions was the revision of the Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy, which mandates 30–95% domestic value addition in centrally funded projects. This not only ensured Indian steel for Indian infrastructure, but also catalysed investments into capacity and innovation.
The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel has already attracted over ₹44,000 crore in investments across 86 projects. These cater to defence, renewables, automotive, and high-end industrial segments. More than 31,000 direct jobs have been created and many more indirectly.
India no longer imports steel for critical needs. We now export capability and manufacture self-reliance.
Public sector renaissance: The RINL story
The revival of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) is one of the strongest indicators of what targeted government support can achieve. With ₹10,300 crore in assistance, operational reforms, and leadership clarity, RINL has doubled hot metal output and returned to profitability.
This is not just a financial recovery. It is a revival of India’s industrial soul, and proof that with the right intent, even legacy PSUs can rise again.
Green steel for a green Bharat
Our commitment to progress is matched by our commitment to the planet. Steel, historically considered one of the highest-emission sectors, is now being transformed.
The Green Steel Taxonomy sets benchmarks for low-emission production. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, five pilot projects are underway to replace fossil fuels in steelmaking with hydrogen. This will usher in a new era of clean, competitive steel.
India’s steel journey is no longer just about volume—it is about value, vision, and viability.
Technology, transparency, trade
Digital tools like SIMS 2.0 (Steel Import Monitoring System) have brought transparency to imports. The revamped Ministry of Steel portal ensures real-time tracking of data and policies. Platforms like the India Steel Expo, which drew 250+ exhibitors and 33 global buyers this year, are positioning Indian steel in the global value chain.
We are no longer building behind walls—we are building with the world, and for the world.
Powering the economy beyond steel
The steel sector’s expansion has had ripple effects:
MSMEs in fabrication, construction, and engineering now enjoy stable supply chains and affordable raw materials.
EVs and automotive sectors benefit from cost-effective, high-grade Indian steel.
Wind turbines and solar frames are being made domestically, aligning perfectly with our clean energy goals.
Defence now uses indigenously produced high-tensile and ballistic-grade steels.
Steel is no longer just a material. It is a strategic multiplier.
The Road Ahead
By 2030–31, our target is clear:
(i) Steel production capacity of 300 MTPA
(ii) Per capita steel consumption of 160 kg
These are not just numbers. They represent jobs, homes, industries, and aspirations. The next phase will focus on green steel, export readiness, and deep R&D in partnership with the private sector.
Conclusion: Steel Is India’s strength
Ten years ago, few could have imagined a self-reliant, globally competitive Indian steel industry. Today, it is reality.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the steel sector has moved from stress to strength—and has become the spine of a rising India.
As we march toward Viksit Bharat @2047, steel will not just build structures. It will build dreams. It will build dignity. And it will build a nation stronger than steel itself.
The writer is Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel