Jindal Steel Commissions One of India’s Largest Blast Furnaces in Odisha

Angul, India (Metro Rail Today): In a landmark move that strengthens India’s self-reliance in steel production and infrastructure development, Jindal Steel has commissioned one of the country’s largest and most advanced blast furnaces at its Angul plant in Odisha. The commissioning of the 5 MTPA Bhagavati Subhadrika Blast Furnace – II marks a pivotal step in doubling the plant’s hot metal capacity from 4 MTPA to 9 MTPA, pushing it closer to its target of 12 MTPA and cementing Angul as India’s largest single-location steel plant.

The commissioning ceremony, held on 26 September 2025, was led by Mr. Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel, who called the event a proud milestone in India’s march toward industrial self-sufficiency and global competitiveness.

“Commissioning the Bhagavati Subhadrika Blast Furnace at Angul is a proud moment for Jindal Steel and for India. By doubling Angul’s capacity to 12 MTPA, we are strengthening our global competitiveness and reaffirming our commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat,” said Mr. Jindal. “Rooted in Odisha’s culture and powered by cutting-edge technology, this furnace represents our vision to unite tradition with innovation.”

With a useful volume of 5,499 m², the new blast furnace ranks among the largest in the world and showcases state-of-the-art automation, robust safety protocols, and enhanced sustainability features. This technological leap will have far-reaching impact across infrastructure sectors including railways, metro systems, and urban construction.

From an industry viewpoint, Mrs. Mamta Shah, MD & CEO of Urban Infra Group, emphasized the significance of this development, “As India expands its metro and high-speed rail networks, domestic steel capacity becomes a strategic asset. Jindal Steel’s commissioning of one of the world’s largest blast furnaces reflects not only industrial strength but also the alignment of private enterprise with national development goals. This will accelerate our transition toward self-reliance in critical infrastructure components.”

Jindal Steel has played a transformative role in India’s rail and metro sectors, pioneering the indigenous production of Head Hardened Rails — a critical component for high-speed railways and metro corridors. These rails, previously imported, are now manufactured in India, reducing costs and increasing supply reliability for metro rail corporations and Indian Railways alike.

This latest expansion is part of Jindal Steel’s broader strategic roadmap. Future developments at Angul include:

• A dedicated port facility at Paradeep

• Slurry pipeline and coal pipe conveyor to streamline raw material logistics

• The Shreebhoomi Power Plant to support captive energy needs

• Advanced coke oven units to enhance operational efficiency

With a total investment footprint of over USD 12 billion, Jindal Steel’s integrated facilities in Angul, Raigarh, and Patratu, along with a robust global network, continue to power India's core sectors — from urban infrastructure to high-speed transport systems.

The company’s mine-to-metal model ensures control over the supply chain, allowing it to deliver high-performance steel solutions tailored to the needs of India’s next-generation urban infrastructure, including smart cities, metro networks, and high-speed corridors.

As India gears up to become the third-largest global construction market by 2030, Jindal Steel's expansion in Angul stands as a testament to “Strengthening India through Steel.”