Panaji, Nov 6 (PTI) India aims to increase its annual steel production to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Friday.
The Union Minister for Coal and Mines stressed that higher production would help make steel affordable for the common man.
Addressing a press conference after the two-day Mining Ministers' Conference here in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Reddy said India currently produces around 168 million tonnes of steel annually.
"The government is working to significantly increase production to meet the country's growing demand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of increasing steel production to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and 500 million tonnes by 2047," Reddy said.
The minister said the growing demand for steel is linked to the aspirations of people across income groups to own a house, with steel being an essential component of construction.
Whether it is a house built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or an individual home, affordable availability of steel and cement is crucial to fulfilling this dream, the Union minister asserted.
"The Centre is also making efforts to increase iron ore production across the country to ensure adequate raw material availability for the steel industry. Goa could play an important role in this effort by expanding its mining activities, subject to applicable Supreme Court restrictions," he said.
The minister also called for the utilisation of old mining dumps in Goa, pointing out that considerable quantities of iron ore could still be extracted from them.
The Centre will extend all possible assistance to the Goa government to increase mining activities, generate employment and strengthen the state's contribution to the country's mineral and steel sectors, Reddy added.
