On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the nation has set a goal to increase crude steel production from 154 million tonnes to 300 million tonnes over the next nine to ten years.
He was speaking via videoconference at the Gujarat-based ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India's Hazira steel manufacturing facility's foundation-stone-laying ceremony.
The Prime Minister praised the factory expansion, saying it had not only prepared the way for additional investments but also made it possible for many new employment to be created in Gujarat and across the nation.
The PM stated that after the expansion, the Hazira Steel Plant's ability to produce crude steel will rise from 9 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes.
He emphasised the importance of the steel industry in helping India become "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-sufficient) and claimed that a healthy steel industry will result in a healthy infrastructure sector.