Team News Riveting
Raipur, September 11
SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) conducted the technical trial run of the first rake of Iron ore chugged from Rowghat mine in Antagarh to its facility located in Bhilai of Durg district in Chhattisgarh.
The state-run steel maker’s long-awaited project has reached its first milestone. Herculean efforts have been made to enable transport of Iron ore from Rowghat to Bhilai Steel Plant. The first steps towards Iron ore excavation had begun in the Anjrel block of Deposit F.
The technical trial of the first rake of Iron ore has started by transporting iron ore from Antagarh to BSP. The first rake of 21 wagons were dispatched from Antagarh to BSP on September 10. 2022. Anirban Dasgupta, Director I/c (BSP) and senior officials welcomed the first rake of Iron ore at BSP on September 11, 2022. Dasgupta said it was a matter of pride that Iron ore from the earth of Chhattisgarh would reach Blast Furnace, and Steel Melting shop and would be converted into world class products of SAIL like Rails.
BSP has been active in the Rowghat area – be it partnering with Ramakrishna mission, BSF or running a DAV school, he said. Dalli-Rajhara will act as a beneficiation area for ore from Rowghat. “SAIL-BSP has come this far and will progress further with the support of the State government and we will deal with all the technical issues that come up,” Dasgupta said.
He welcomed and interacted with 27 trainee students from Anjrel’s Khorgaon village Panchayat, who came to BSP to witness the technical trial run and will also be witnessing the production process of Bhilai Steel Plant.
Tapan Sutradhar, ED (Mines) congratulated and thanked the Mines collective for bringing in this historical moment and said that the country will definitely benefit from this accomplishment. A K Bhatta, ED (MM), Anjani Kumar, ED (Works), Tapan Sutradhar, ED (Mines), M M Gadre, ED (P&A), S Mukhopadhyay, ED (Projects), Dr. A K Panda, ED (F & A), Manash Biswas, ex-ED (Mines), and P K Sinha, ex-ED (Mines), A K Mishra, Ex-GM Mines, Tapas Dasgupta, CGM I/c (Iron), Samir Swaroop, CGM (Mines & Rowghat), CGMs and other senior officials were present on the occasion. N K Bancchor, President, Officers Association and Union representatives were also present on the occasion.
BSP has obtained all necessary permission to mine and dispatch 3 Lakh T/annum. The Rowghat project has been a challenge for SAIL-BSP as well as State and Central governments. Massive Efforts have been taken by BSP along with the State government for starting mining activities in Anjrel region of Rowghat since 2020. The State Forest department has helped in creating a road to commute in the Anjrel region.
In order to transport Iron ore from Rowghat and bring it to Bhilai, a Railway line is being constructed from Dalli-Rajhara to Narayanpur, jointly by SAIL-BSP and Indian Railway. The route covering 60 kms from Dalli-Rajhara to Antagarh is operational and the work is picking up momentum. A Weigh Bridge and Stockyard has been developed near Antagarh station. The road route is being used to transport Iron ore from Anjrel to Antagarh currently. The next section from 60-77 km till Taroki is expected by January 2023 Railway route will be fully used after connectivity of Railway line till Rowghat.
