Vizag Steel Plant Needs Real Solutions, Not Temporary Packages: YS Sharmila

YS Sharmila, President of the Andhra Pradesh Congress, criticized the Central Government’s announcement of a ₹11,440 crore stimulus package for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (Vizag Steel Plant). She stated that the financial package alone is insufficient to resolve the plant’s deep-seated issues and does not honor the self-respect of the people of Andhra Pradesh.

Sharmila argued that the package offers no substantial benefit and fails to address the plant’s financial difficulties. "This is merely a temporary relief, not a permanent solution," she asserted. Highlighting the need for long-term strategies, Sharmila emphasized that sustainable solutions for the steel plant should involve its merger with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) and the allocation of dedicated captive mines.

She also suggested expanding the plant’s production capacity to 20 million tons as a key step toward fulfilling the vision of a prosperous steel industry in Andhra Pradesh. "Without addressing these fundamental issues, the central government’s promise to make Vizag Steel the number one plant within two years is nothing but another empty assurance to mislead the people," Sharmila alleged.