Day-2 of ‘India Steel 2025’ focuses on green Innovation; Steel sector gears up to lead global sustainability standards
Apr 25, 2025
Railways is driving demand, bridging gaps, and seeking industry input to transform steel logistics: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Steel industry to be the biggest beneficiary of India’s growth story: Piyush Goyal
India advancing towards sustainable growth and leadership in the steel sector: Dharmendra Pradhan
MUMBAI, 25 April 2025: Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications, and Electronics & IT, Govt of India, today while virtually addressing the session ‘Conducive Logistics Infrastructure for the Steel Sector’ at ‘India Steel 2025’ emphasized the Indian Railways’ evolving role in transforming the steel logistics landscape. He highlighted three key areas including enhancing demand for steel; filling the gaps in the steel supply chain by improving last-mile connectivity and increasing industry collaboration. The Minister called upon industry stakeholders to provide actionable inputs on how to further streamline and strengthen steel transportation, signalling a strong push for public-private collaboration.
Mr M B Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries, Government of Karnataka reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enabling world-class industrial infrastructure and logistics parks to support steel and allied sectors. "Our strategic location, abundant mineral resources, skilled workforce, and strong logistics connectivity — including rail, road, and ports — makes Karnataka a natural choice for steel manufacturers and investors. The state is actively promoting industrial parks, integrated logistics zones, and clean energy adoption to ensure long-term competitiveness for the sector."
During the day, Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India while addressing the session on ‘Viksit Bharat: Steel Demand from 150 to 500 Mt by 2047’, referred the steel industry as the backbone of India's national economy, emphasizing its crucial role in the nation's journey toward becoming a developed and prosperous country. He further stated that given the country’s rapidly growing economy, the target of 500 million tons by 2047 is too modest and proposed a more ambitious vision for the steel industry’s future.
Mr Goyal emphasized the potential for expanding steel's use in new sectors, particularly in the construction of prefabricated buildings. He pointed out that many developed nations have adopted precast prefabricated building structures and suggested that India should consider introducing such practices, especially in urban areas. He urged that the steel industry should invest in R&D to minimize the cost differences.
The Minister also addressed the current global economic turmoil, stating that, despite the challenges, the world is increasingly looking to India as a beacon of growth. He noted that India contributes to nearly one-sixth of global growth and is recognized as the fastest-growing large economy in the world. With projections indicating that India will become the third-largest economy globally by 2027, Mr Goyal underscored the importance of leveraging this growth to benefit the steel industry, which will be a key player in India’s economic transformation.
While addressing the session on ‘Conducive Logistics Infrastructure for Steel Sector’, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, Govt of India said that the flagship India Steel 2025 event will serve as a vital platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and shape the future of India's steel sector. He said that during his tenure as steel minister, he closely witnessed the resilience and dynamism of India's steel sector. “Steel is not just the backbone of infrastructure; it is also the foundation of aspirations,” he added.
The Minister stated that India's steel industry has brought the nation's broader economic development. “It evolved from a modest beginning to becoming the second-largest steel producer in the world,” he said, observing that India overtook Japan in 2018. The growth, he said, reflected India's commitment to modernisation, self-reliance, and sustainable industrial development. Steel is the spine on which the economy continues to flourish. He said that India’s growth trajectory is impressive, but sustaining this momentum requires strategic policy frameworks that balance industrial growth and national priorities. “It is important to highlight that steel is a deregulated sector. The government acts as a facilitator, creating a conducive policy environment for the sector's holistic growth,” he said.
“As the industry grows, we must at the same time transform our steel, how steel is made. This calls for a wholesome understanding of the pioneering of the steadily progressive work for the govt is green steel. India is strongly committed to decarbonising the steel sector in line with the net zero emission target by 2017,” he emphasized. The Minister said that work is underway on a 15,000 crore green steel mission designed to support R&D, pilot projects, and commercial adoption of clean technologies. “The steel must be green steel to build a truly sustainable future. Green steel is our priority to turn industrial transformation into a competitive advantage. It is time to acknowledge with pride that India's green steel transformation is magnificent in progress,” he added.
Mr Pradhan said that one needs to reimagine the talent in the steel sector. “Education is the bedrock of innovation, and the research institutions are playing a leading role in driving the green transition,” he said. The Minister further stated that it was high time to enable the brightest minds, students, researchers, and young entrepreneurs to take on steel-walled industrial challenges and create scalable solutions.
Mr Pralhad Joshi, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Govt of India while addressing via video message said that steel is the backbone of our modern civilisation. “Green steel is not just a technological innovation; rather, it is a strategic transformation. It is a vital bridge between our climate emissions and industrial progress,” he added. The government, he said, launched the world’s first green steel taxonomy which is not just a framework but a roadmap. It provides clear, measurable benchmarks for low carbon emissions and ensures transparency and accountability for all stakeholders.
Mr Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India, said that steel is one of the most polluting sectors in the manufacturing industry. It contributes about 12% of carbon emissions. To achieve the target given by the Honourable Prime Minister of net zero by 2070, we must work towards greening the steel sector. The government is working to incentivise green steel, he added.