By IANS,
New Delhi : Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh Monday expressed concern over the shortfall in steel production and called for developing innovative and energy- efficient processes to accelerate the sector’s output.
“The present steel production in the country is not matching the growing consumer demand,” Singh said after inaugurating a four-day global conference here of engineers from around 70 countries.
“The only way to match the production is to upgrade the existing and develop newer eco-friendly technologies, maintaining highest standards,” he said.
“The engineers in the country should develop innovative and energy-efficient metallurgical processes to meet the high demand of finished steel, growing at the rate of 9 to 10 percent in the country,” he said.
“The country still has more areas for producing durable steel and other new products for use in various applications,” Singh said.
“Engineers have a major role to play to help enhance the production capacity to achieve a growth of about 16 percent per annum,” said Singh.
Currently, steel production in the country is 73 million tonnes and is likely to go up to 120 million tonnes by the 2013, said Singh adding that: “Steel is important for infrastructure development in the country, its utilisation needs to be optimised.”
The minister also exhorted engineers to evolve innovative ways to increase capacity building of the infrastructure and construction industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Planning Commission member and former cabinet secretary B.K. Chaturvedi emphasised the need for early removal of various impediments, hindering the growth of infrastructure.
“The challenges confronting infrastructure development of the country, including problems relating to project implementation, environmental clearance, dispute resolution mechanism and skill development, need immediate attention,” he said.
“There is also a need for regular revision of tariff and user charges to attract foreign investment and private participation,” Chaturvedi said.