New Delhi, Jul 2 (KNN) The government has assured the steel industry that it will take all necessary steps to ensure that logistics cost in India can be reduced which will also help the end users.

Speaking at a FICCI-organised webinar on 'Supportive Logistics for Indian Iron and Steel Industry', on Wednesday, Minister of State for Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste told the participants that high cost of logistics is also a matter of concern for the ministry.

“The government is already working on multimodal infrastructure projects like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Dedicated Freight Corridors in the logistics sector which will benefit the industry. Once these projects are completed, both production cost and time will be reduced,” he added.

Kulaste said that as per the National Steel policy, we need to create a capacity of 300 million tonnes by 2030-31 and 255 million tonnes of crude steel to be produced.

“We would be needing large infrastructure to handle this. In order to promote the PM’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, it is imperative that industry focuses on reducing the production cost and the overall cost including the logistics costs,” he avowed.

Enumerating the importance of cluster-based industry approach, Kulaste said that more and more down-stream companies should come up near the steel plant like DRI, pellet and sponge iron plant. This will also help in reducing the logistics cost.

“We must emphasize a cluster-based industry approach, adopt newer technologies along with reducing inventory and other costs. The industry must come forward in ensuring these,” he added.

Rasika Chaube, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Steel said that the government is aware of the challenges faced by the steel industry and is taking appropriate steps to overcome these.

“The ministry is working with all concerned ministries to ensure that the industry and sector gets the benefit. Steel and iron ore are important components under the Dedicated Freight Corridor project. The government has already announced the national waterways project and we have mapped the state wise industry requirement for logistics & are working towards the same,” she said.

Pankaj Satija, Senior Member, FICCI Steel Committee and Chief Regulatory Affairs, Tata Steel Ltd said that it is important for the government to expedite the process of road and railway expansion in order to meet the future demands.

“As we are moving towards lower grade ore, the slurry pipeline is the only viable option,” he added.

Dr S K Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry said that the ministry is already in the process of introducing a new Logistics Policy along with a dedicated National Logistics Portal.