Domestic steel industry facing challenge from China: Gadkari

Country’s steel industry is facing a major challenge with increased steel import from China and the Centre was working towards a solution, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said here on Friday.

“Domestic steel industry has been facing a crisis, with most of them shutting down, as China is exporting steel to India,” he said. 

“But we have been looking for ways to tackle this challenge and very soon a solution would be found,” the minister added.

The Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the dry port proposed to be constructed at Javas village, around five kms from here.

“The dry port would be a boon to industrialists and farmers as they will be able to export their goods at low cost. It will open a new window of import-export in Marathwada region,” he said.

“In the first phase, Rs 350 crore would be spent on the project. The Jawharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), which is setting up this dry port, has already released Rs 93 crore for land acquisition,” he added.

According to Gadkari, the dry port would reduce the cost of transportation of goods and lead to news industries in the region, which would provide employment opportunities.

“Cold storage and ware-houses would also be constructed, which would be beneficial for farmers and traders,” he said. 

The minister also said that the government was planning to purchase old commercial vehicles and offer concession for purchase of new vehicles.

“The old vehicles can be sold to steel industries at cheaper rate,” he said.

According to Gadkari, the Centre has decided to produce fertilisers from coal. “Just like in China, where they produce fertilisers from coal, the Centre plans to produce coal. This would make fertilisers available at cheaper rate for farmers,” he said.