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  1. Company
  2. Background & History

Background & History

Background & History

SAIL Milestone HisTree

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The Precursor

SAIL traces its origin to the formative years of an emerging nation - India. After independence the builders of modern India worked with a vision - to lay the infrastructure for rapid industrialisaton of the country. The steel sector was to propel the economic growth. Hindustan Steel Limited was set up on January 19, 1954.

Expanding Horizon (1959-1973)

Hindustan Steel (HSL) was initially designed to manage only one plant that was coming up at Rourkela. For Bhilai and Durgapur Steel Plants, the preliminary work was done by the Iron and Steel Ministry. From April 1957, the supervision and control of these two steel plants were also transferred to Hindustan Steel. The registered office was originally in New Delhi. It moved to Calcutta in July 1956, and ultimately to Ranchi in December 1959.

The 1 MT phases of Bhilai and Rourkela Steel Plants were completed by the end of December 1961. The 1 MT phase of Durgapur Steel Plant was completed in January 1962 after commissioning of the Wheel and Axle plant. The crude steel production of HSL went up from .158 MT (1959-60) to 1.6 MT. A new steel company, Bokaro Steel Limited, was incorporated in January 1964 to construct and operate the steel plant at Bokaro.The second phase of Bhilai Steel Plant was completed in September 1967 after commissioning of the Wire Rod Mill. The last unit of the 1.8 MT phase of Rourkela - the Tandem Mill - was commissioned in February 1968, and the 1.6 MT stage of Durgapur Steel Plant was completed in August 1969 after commissioning of the Furnace in SMS. Thus, with the completion of the 2.5 MT stage at Bhilai, 1.8 MT at Rourkela and 1.6 MT at Durgapur, the total crude steel production capacity of HSL was raised to 3.7 MT in 1968-69 and subsequently to 4MT in 1972-73.

Holding Company

The Ministry of Steel and Mines drafted a policy statement to evolve a new model for managing industry. The policy statement was presented to the Parliament on December 2, 1972. On this basis the concept of creating a holding company to manage inputs and outputs under one umbrella was mooted. This led to the formation of Steel Authority of India Ltd. The company, incorporated on January 24, 1973 with an authorized capital of Rs. 2000 crore, was made responsible for managing five integrated steel plants at Bhilai, Bokaro, Durgapur, Rourkela and Burnpur, the Alloy Steel Plant and the Salem Steel Plant. In 1978 SAIL was restructured as an operating company.

Since its inception, SAIL has been instrumental in laying a sound infrastructure for the industrial development of the country. Besides, it has immensely contributed to the development of technical and managerial expertise. It has triggered the secondary and tertiary waves of economic growth by continuously providing the inputs for the consuming industry.

History Tree

Blast Furnace #1 of Bokaro Steel Plant was inaugurated By prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi.
Blast Furnace #1 of Bokaro Steel Plant was inaugurated By prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi.
October 03,1972
 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on visit of Rourkela Steel Plant with grandson Rajeev. Seen in the picture with him are Orrisa Chief Minister Dr H Mahatab and the Burmese Premier U Nu.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on visit of Rourkela Steel Plant with grandson Rajeev. Seen in the picture with him are Orrisa Chief Minister Dr H Mahatab and the Burmese Premier U Nu.
December 16,1957
Dr Zakir Hussain, Governor of Bihar, Visiting the Rourkela Coke Ovens.
Dr Zakir Hussain, Governor of Bihar, Visiting the Rourkela Coke Ovens.
December 10,1959
 Queen Elizabeth with Mr PC Niyogi, then General Manager, during her visit to Durgapur Steel Plant.
Queen Elizabeth with Mr PC Niyogi, then General Manager, during her visit to Durgapur Steel Plant.
February 1961
 Pandit Nehru inaugurating the Rail and Structural Mill at Bhilai.
Pandit Nehru inaugurating the Rail and Structural Mill at Bhilai.
October 27,1960
 Pandit Nehru alighting from a Train at Rourkela Steel Plant. Premier U Nu of Burma accompanied him on this Visit.
Pandit Nehru alighting from a Train at Rourkela Steel Plant. Premier U Nu of Burma accompanied him on this Visit.
1957
Shri HV Pataskar, then Governor of Madhya Prades, inaugurating the merchant Mill at Bhilai.
Shri HV Pataskar, then Governor of Madhya Prades, inaugurating the merchant Mill at Bhilai.
December 26,1960
Shri YB Chavan, then Union Finance Minister, inaugurating Bhilai's Wire Rod Mill.
Shri YB Chavan, then Union Finance Minister, inaugurating Bhilai's Wire Rod Mill.
September 01,1967
Union Home Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Watching Bhilai's steel - making process.
Union Home Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Watching Bhilai's steel - making process.
February 04,1962
Dr BC Roy, West Bengal Chief Minister, commissioning the Merchant Mill at Durgapur Steel Plant.
Dr BC Roy, West Bengal Chief Minister, commissioning the Merchant Mill at Durgapur Steel Plant.
January 19,1962
Levelling work in Progress at the site of Bokaro Steel Plant
Levelling work in Progress at the site of Bokaro Steel Plant
November 27,1967
 Shri TN Singh, Minister of State for Iron & Steel, on a visit to inaugurate coke ovens at Rourkela Steel Plant.
Shri TN Singh, Minister of State for Iron & Steel, on a visit to inaugurate coke ovens at Rourkela Steel Plant.
December 30,1966
 Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi addressing a gathering on the occasion of concrete pouring of the first blast Furnace of Bokaro Steel Limited.
Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi addressing a gathering on the occasion of concrete pouring of the first blast Furnace of Bokaro Steel Limited.
April 06,1968
Construction work of Bokaro Steel Plant in progress.
Construction work of Bokaro Steel Plant in progress.
General Manager Mr KK Sen lighting Up Coke Oven battery #1 at Durgapur Steel Plant.
General Manager Mr KK Sen lighting Up Coke Oven battery #1 at Durgapur Steel Plant.
November 23,1959
 Pandit Nehru on the occasion of commissioning of Section Mill at Durgapur Steel Plant.
Pandit Nehru on the occasion of commissioning of Section Mill at Durgapur Steel Plant.
February 18,1961
Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shstri reviewing work on Durgapur Steel Plant's Capacity Expansion to 1.6 million tonnes with Mr DJ Bell, General Manager.
Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shstri reviewing work on Durgapur Steel Plant's Capacity Expansion to 1.6 million tonnes with Mr DJ Bell, General Manager.
January 11,1964
Pandit Nehru on the occasion of inauguration of Wheel Plant at Durgapur Steel Plant.
Pandit Nehru on the occasion of inauguration of Wheel Plant at Durgapur Steel Plant.
January 24,1962
A View of the Construction site of Bloom Cast Mill at Alloy Steels Plant, Durgapur.
A View of the Construction site of Bloom Cast Mill at Alloy Steels Plant, Durgapur.
1965
Raw Material Storage and Blending Yard at Bokaro Steel Plant in the late 1970s.
Raw Material Storage and Blending Yard at Bokaro Steel Plant in the late 1970s.
Alloy Steel Plant under construction.
Alloy Steel Plant under construction.
November 1963
Shri Mohan Kumaramangalam, Steel Minister, inaugurating construction of Salem Steel Plant.
Shri Mohan Kumaramangalam, Steel Minister, inaugurating construction of Salem Steel Plant.
June 13,1972
Mr MA Wadud Khan, SAIL Chairman, commissioning Bokaro Steel Plant's Second blast Furnace.
Mr MA Wadud Khan, SAIL Chairman, commissioning Bokaro Steel Plant's Second blast Furnace.
January 31,1974
SAIL Chairman Mr RP Billimoria breaks the around for Salem Steel Plant's CRM complex.
SAIL Chairman Mr RP Billimoria breaks the around for Salem Steel Plant's CRM complex.
January 26,1978
Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi with Major General BP Wadhera, the Director-in-Charge, Durgapur Steel Plant, During her visit to the plant
Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi with Major General BP Wadhera, the Director-in-Charge, Durgapur Steel Plant, During her visit to the plant
1970
Steel Minister Shri Mohan Kumaramangalam(center) inaugurating Blast furnace # 6 at Bhilai.
Steel Minister Shri Mohan Kumaramangalam(center) inaugurating Blast furnace # 6 at Bhilai.
July 31,1971
To commemorate 25 million tonnes of ingot steel production, Bhilai Steel Plant erected the 'Wheel of Industry' monument.
To commemorate 25 million tonnes of ingot steel production, Bhilai Steel Plant erected the 'Wheel of Industry' monument.
March 07,1976
 Prime Minister arrives at Bokaro Steel Plant to inaugurate Hot Strip Mill.
Prime Minister arrives at Bokaro Steel Plant to inaugurate Hot Strip Mill.
May 01,1972
Steel Minister Shri Mohan Kumarmangalam inaugurating a coke oven battery at Bokaro Steel Plant.
Steel Minister Shri Mohan Kumarmangalam inaugurating a coke oven battery at Bokaro Steel Plant.
September 9,1972
Shri KC Pant, Minister for Steel & Heavy Engineering, inaugurating refractory work in coke ovens at Bokaro Steel Plant.
Shri KC Pant, Minister for Steel & Heavy Engineering, inaugurating refractory work in coke ovens at Bokaro Steel Plant.
May 25,1970
Indian Iron Steel Company Limited was made a subsidiary of SAIL, a panoramic view of IISCO's plant at Burnpur on the banks of the Damodar
Indian Iron Steel Company Limited was made a subsidiary of SAIL, a panoramic view of IISCO's plant at Burnpur on the banks of the Damodar
May 1,1978
Shri M Sondhi, Secretary(Steel & Mines), inaugurating the Cold Rolling Mill Bokaro Steel Plant
Shri M Sondhi, Secretary(Steel & Mines), inaugurating the Cold Rolling Mill Bokaro Steel Plant
June 17,1977
Visit of a Mines Safety Committee to Bhavanathpur Limestone Mines of Bokaro Steel Plants
Visit of a Mines Safety Committee to Bhavanathpur Limestone Mines of Bokaro Steel Plants
December 1981
Minister for Steel and Mines Shri ND Tiwari dedicates Salem Steel Plant to the Nation.
Minister for Steel and Mines Shri ND Tiwari dedicates Salem Steel Plant to the Nation.
March 13,1982
Union Minister for Commerce, Steel & Mines Shri Pranab Mukharji Visits Bokaro Steel Plant
Union Minister for Commerce, Steel & Mines Shri Pranab Mukharji Visits Bokaro Steel Plant
January 5,1981
View of the Bloom-cum-Slab Mill during the Stage I expansion of Alloy Steels Plant
View of the Bloom-cum-Slab Mill during the Stage I expansion of Alloy Steels Plant
May 1982
President Shri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Laying the foundation stone of the second Captive power plant of Rourkela Steel Plant
President Shri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Laying the foundation stone of the second Captive power plant of Rourkela Steel Plant
January 02, 1982
Minister for Steel & Mines Shri NKP Salve Commissions a Plate Mill on the silver jubilee of Bhilai steel plant.
Minister for Steel & Mines Shri NKP Salve Commissions a Plate Mill on the silver jubilee of Bhilai steel plant.
February 04, 1984
A proud moment.
A proud moment.
February 19, 1983
Minister for Steel, Mines & Coal Shri Vasant Sathe announcing the Modernisation plan for Durgapur Steel Plant
Minister for Steel, Mines & Coal Shri Vasant Sathe announcing the Modernisation plan for Durgapur Steel Plant
January 23,1985
Bokaro Managing Director Mr DR Ahuja at the Kiriburu Iron Ore Mines on the occasion of its silver jubilee.
Bokaro Managing Director Mr DR Ahuja at the Kiriburu Iron Ore Mines on the occasion of its silver jubilee.
May 24, 1984
Bhilai Steel Plant Produce Rail quality Steel for the first time.
Bhilai Steel Plant Produce Rail quality Steel for the first time.
July 6,1985
SAIL Chairman Mr V Krishnamurthy inaugurating the additional coil yard at Bokaro Steel Plant.
SAIL Chairman Mr V Krishnamurthy inaugurating the additional coil yard at Bokaro Steel Plant.
November 29,1986
 Visvesvarya Iron & Steel limited becomes a SAIL
Visvesvarya Iron & Steel limited becomes a SAIL
August 18,1989
Inauguration of Blast Furnace #7 at Bhilai by Minister of Steel and Mines Shri ML Fotedar.
Inauguration of Blast Furnace #7 at Bhilai by Minister of Steel and Mines Shri ML Fotedar.
May 09, 1987
Panoramic view of Durgapur Steel Plant During its inception phase.
Panoramic view of Durgapur Steel Plant During its inception phase.
President Rajendra Prasad After inaugurating Blast Furnace #1 at Durgapur Steel Plant.
President Rajendra Prasad After inaugurating Blast Furnace #1 at Durgapur Steel Plant.
December 26,1959
June 1957: Concreting of Blast Furnace #1 of Bhilai.
Concreting of Blast Furnace #1 of Bhilai.
June 1957
February 04,1959: Dr Rajendra Prasad Commissioning Bhilai's first Blast furnace.
Dr Rajendra Prasad Commissioning Bhilai's first Blast furnace.
February 04,1959
June 06,1955: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla Pouring over project drawing of Bhilai Steel Plant with Mr SN Mehta General Manager, and Mr Lobotsky, Deputy Chief Engineer.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Pt Ravi Shankar Shukla Pouring over project drawing of Bhilai Steel Plant with Mr SN Mehta General Manager, and Mr Lobotsky, Deputy Chief Engineer.
June 06,1955
February 03,1959: President Rajendra Prasad Delivering his address at the inauguration of Blast Furnace #1 at Rourkela Steel Plant.
President Rajendra Prasad Delivering his address at the inauguration of Blast Furnace #1 at Rourkela Steel Plant.
February 03,1959
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