Chhattisgarh's 150 mini steel plants to shut down amid rising

Steel manufacturers angry

- Avdhesh Mallick

Due to a significant increase in electricity rates, business owners have announced the indefinite closure of 150 mini steel plants in Chhattisgarh, effective Monday night. Industry insiders report that the soaring electricity costs have made it nearly impossible to continue operations, impacting around 200,000 people.

Mini steel plants in Chhattisgarh are crucial for producing raw materials from sponge iron. These factories convert sponge iron into billets, which are then used to manufacture products such as TMT bars, rods, and steel bars. The steel industry operates in three stages in the state: initial production of sponge iron, followed by billet manufacturing at mini steel plants, and finally, the creation of finished iron products like rods.