National Steel Chintan Shivir Begins in Bhubaneswar to Shape Industry’s Future

In his inaugural address, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for guiding the steel sector with strategic foresight.

The two-day Chintan Shivir on the future of India’s steel industry commenced at the Mayfair Convention in Bhubaneswar, setting the stage for an intensive exchange of ideas among policymakers, public sector leaders, private industry representatives and technical experts. The event is aimed at shaping a long-term roadmap for strengthening India’s steel ecosystem in line with the nation’s industrial and infrastructure ambitions.

The Shivir was inaugurated by Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Union Minister of Steel, in the presence of Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Steel, Shri Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries Department, Odisha, and Shri Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel. Senior officials from the Ministry, along with leadership from SAIL, NMDC, MOIL, MECON, MSTC, INSDAG, ISCA, BISAG, and major private steel companies like Tata Steel and JSW Steel, also participated.

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Leadership Vision and Opening Remarks

Focus on Technology, Innovation and Self-Reliance

In his inaugural address, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for guiding the steel sector with strategic foresight. He noted that India’s steel industry is at a transformative stage, playing a critical role in nation-building—from infrastructure development to manufacturing competitiveness.

The Union Minister highlighted several key priorities:

• Adoption of AI, Machine Learning and Digitalization to drive operational efficiency

• Strengthened R&D investment to enhance domestic capabilities

• Promotion of self-reliance through innovation and indigenous technology

• Collaboration among CPSEs, private sector and technical bodies to accelerate capacity building

He emphasized that the collective commitment of all stakeholders will ensure the steel sector remains robust, competitive and aligned with India’s economic aspirations.

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Emphasis on Infrastructure and Sectoral Growth

Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Steel, underscored the central role of steel in national infrastructure development. He highlighted that each theme of the Chintan Shivir is geared toward strengthening India’s steel value chain and enhancing its contribution to national growth.

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Odisha’s Strategic Role in India’s Steel Expansion

Speaking on the state’s competitive advantages, Shri Hemant Sharma, ACS, noted that Odisha holds a unique position as both a mineral-rich and coastal state. This dual advantage makes it an ideal hub for steel production, logistics, and downstream industrial development. Odisha continues to be a major contributor to India’s steel output, hosting some of the country's largest steel plants and mining clusters.

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Setting the Strategic Tone: Insights from the Steel Secretary

Shri Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, emphasized the importance of the Shivir as a platform for meaningful dialogue. He noted several key observations:

• India’s steel consumption is witnessing exceptional growth driven by public infrastructure spending.

• Private sector insights will complement the strengths of CPSEs, enabling the adoption of global best practices.

• Technology adoption in CPSEs, especially digital technologies and automation, must accelerate, led by in-house R&D teams and young technical talent.

To encourage innovation, the Ministry conducted an internal idea competition among young executives, with the best proposals presented during the sessions.

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Day 1: Technology, Innovation and Operational Excellence

The first day of the Shivir was dedicated to a deep dive into the technological and structural transformation of India’s steel sector. Discussions focused on:

• Technology-driven process improvements

• Operational excellence and efficiency benchmarks

• Integration of indigenous technologies for competitive advantage

• Modern mining and mineral processing methods

• Capacity expansion and infrastructure upgrades across the steel value chain

Industry experts from public and private sectors shared insights into automation, emission reduction technologies, digitized manufacturing systems and global advancements in steelmaking.

The sessions also highlighted India's rising steel demand and the need for strategic planning to ensure sustainable, high-quality production to meet future requirements.

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Looking Ahead: Day 2 to Focus on Long-Term Strategies

The Shivir will continue on its second day with sessions focusing on:

• Long-term growth strategies for the Indian steel sector

• Improved stakeholder collaboration across government, CPSEs and private companies

• Actionable outcomes that can be adopted at both policy and operational levels

• Roadmap for future-ready steel production, including sustainability, circular economy practices and decarbonization pathways

These discussions aim to consolidate insights from all stakeholders into a comprehensive strategy that will reinforce the steel industry's pivotal role in India’s industrial and economic transformation.

The Chintan Shivir in Bhubaneswar marks a pivotal moment for India’s steel sector, offering a dynamic platform for collaborative thinking, innovation, and future planning. With participation from senior government leaders, CPSEs, private industry giants and technical institutions, the event is poised to catalyze long-term reforms and modernization across the steel value chain.

As India marches toward becoming a global manufacturing hub, the discussions and outcomes from this Shivir will play a defining role in shaping the future of the steel industry and supporting the nation’s broader economic vision.