Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumarasway visite VISP in Bhadravathi and discussed the plans of reviving the plant, on November 30, 2025. Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra and others were present.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy visited the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant, a subsidiary of SAIL, at Bhadravati and discussed the plans of its revival with senior officers, on Saturday (November 29, 2025). This is his second visit since he took over the ministry. He visited the plant on June 30, 2024.
The minister discussed ways to revive the plant and bring back its past glory with senior officers of the SAIL. The Steel Ministry has entrusted Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. (MIDHANI) with the preparation of a detailed project report to revive the plant. Similarly, another company has been entrusted with the responsibility to submit a report on financial matters.
In the meeting, the minister is said to have expressed the need for at least ₹10,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore to revive the plant and restore its glory.
Shivamogga Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, who was also present at the meeting, thanked the minister for his interest in reviving the plant.
Later, the minister met the protesting workers, and assured them that his ministry was keen on bringing the plant back to life. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is giving importance to strengthening the steel sector in the country. He has a strong ambition to achieve self-reliance in steel production. We are all working with great dedication in this direction,” he said.
The VISP was set up by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar in 1918. It commenced pig iron production in 1923. The Centre considered closing the plant in early 2023. However, following the protests from public and efforts by the elected representatives, the Steel Ministry changed decision. At present the plant is operating on a limited scale.
Published – November 30, 2025 03:59 pm IST
