BEST EVER QUARTER-I PERFORMANCE BY BSP

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The Bhillai Steel Plant (BSP) of the Steel Authority of India Limited, (SAIL), a public sector undertaking of the Steel Ministry has produced 9,89,732 tonnes of saleable steel during April to June 2002-03 recording a growth of 23.8 per cent as compared to the first quarter of last year. During this period the Plate Mill of the plant registered growth of 72.4 per cent, merchant mill 15.6 per cent and Wire Rod Mill 14.3 per cent over the same period of last year. A 40 per cent growth was registered in heavy structural production. Billets production during the quarter also registered 28.3 per cent growth. The plant achieved best ever Q-I performance in heavy metal, crude steel, finished steel and saleable steel production since inception. Despatches of saleable steel at 949,163 tonnes was also the best ever Q-I performance.

In the key area of rails, out of the total 1,90,412 tonnes finished rail production during the quarter, the loading of 26 metre long rail was 34,662 tonnes. In the area of special steel, the production of HT plates for home sales at 11,654 tonnes, TNT wire rods at 22,777 tonnes, total TMT bars and rods at 40,028 tonnes were the best achieved in any April-June period. The plant achieved best performance in the Q-I in almost all sectors of production.