Mission PURVODAYA will script rise of Eastern India: Dharmendra Pradhan

By OEM Update Editorial February 10, 2020 10:56 am IST

Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan launched PURVODAYA: Accelerated development of Eastern India through integrated steel hub in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, “Whether it is our freedom movement or social reform, Eastern India has provided leadership to the nation. Eastern India is a land of infinite opportunities. Despite being endowed with natural resources, this region has lagged behind in socio-economic development as compared to some other parts of the country. Today, we start PURVODAYA in steel sector, a new chapter which will script the rise of Eastern India by accelerated development of steel sector through an integrated steel hub.”

Speaking about the government’s efforts to develop Eastern India, he said, “Our government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given unprecedented focus to the development of Eastern India. About half of aspiration districts are in this region which is becoming a hotspot of socio-economic development. Our government has come up with a 102 lakh crore worth of national infrastructure pipeline. Whether it is pipelines, inland waterways, shipping, air or road, our government is building infrastructure at an unprecedented pace. Eastern India holds special focus in our infrastructure development efforts.”

About technology, Pradhan said, “21st century is going to be the age of knowledge and technology. New technologies are reshaping the economy and society. Industry 4.0 driven by digitisation holds immense promise. Embrace of Industry 4.0 by manufacturing in steel sector will ensure Eastern India benefits from the wave of Industrial Revolution 4.0.”

PURVODAYA in steel sector is aimed at driving accelerated development of Eastern India through establishment of an integrated steel hub. Eastern states of India (Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal) and Northern part of Andhra Pradesh collectively hold ~80 percent of the country’s iron ore, ~100 percent of coking coal and significant portion of chromate, bauxite and dolomite reserves.

There is presence of major ports such as Paradip, Haldia, Vizag, Kolkata etc., with >30 percent of India’s major port capacity. In India’s march towards a $5-trillion economy, the 5 Eastern states can play a major role where steel sector can become the catalyst. This eastern belt has the potential to add more than 75 percent of the country’s incremental steel capacity envisioned by the National Steel Policy. It is expected that out of the 300 MT capacity by 2030-31, over 200 MT can come from this region alone, driven by Industry 4.0.