New Delhi — India’s finished steel production rose 3.7% to 81.8 million tonnes during the first half of fiscal 2026-27, compared with 78.8 million tonnes in the same period a year earlier, according to data from the Ministry of Steel.
Finished steel consumption increased 7.9% to 84.9 million tonnes between April and September, up from 79 million tonnes in the year-ago period. Demand was supported by major government infrastructure projects in highways, railways and ports.
Steel exports also recorded strong growth during the period, rising 26.2% to 3.55 million tonnes from 2.81 million tonnes a year earlier.
In value terms, exports climbed 28.9% to Rs 28,263.7 crore from Rs 21,931.5 crore in the first half of the previous fiscal year.
Crude steel production reached 85.1 million tonnes during April-September, up 2.9% from 82.7 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
India’s total crude steelmaking capacity currently stands at 222.9 million tonnes per year, keeping the industry on track toward the National Steel Policy target of 300 million tonnes of annual capacity by 2030.
Separately, state-owned mining company NMDC reported an 8% year-over-year increase in iron ore production to 4.04 million tonnes in September. Output for the first half of fiscal 2026-27 rose nearly 23% to 27.3 million tonnes.
NMDC has also commissioned a 2 million-tonne-per-year pellet plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh, completing a Rs 5,427-crore integrated project.
The project includes an iron ore processing facility at Bacheli, a 135-kilometer slurry pipeline with annual capacity of 15 million tonnes and the Nagarnar pellet plant. The facilities are designed to increase value addition from Bailadila iron ore fines and slimes while reducing road transportation of ore.
The Ministry of Steel also plans to establish a Steel Industry Safety Council to strengthen safety standards, accident prevention and safety practices across the sector.
A dedicated Steel Industry Safety Directorate will support the council through safety audits, investigations of serious incidents and the development of safety standards tailored to Indian operating conditions. (Source: IANS)
