NPM also registered its best first-quarter (Q1) performance for FY 2026–27 in both production and dispatch. Compared to the corresponding period last year (CPLY), production grew by 11.55% while dispatch increased by 5.29%.

Congratulating Team NPM, Mr. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge (RSP) has appreciated the outstanding achievement of the team, leadership and all supporting departments and commended their collective effort. He added that, at this critical juncture for Rourkela Steel Plant, performance must be raised further so that the plant can emerge stronger.

The achievement reflects coordinated efforts across operations, maintenance, quality, logistics and other supporting departments, and underscores NPM’s commitment to operational excellence and timely delivery to customers.

Finished-steel facilities delivered equally notable results. Both the Plate Mill and the New Plate Mill posted their best quarterly performances, and HR plate output from the Sheet Shearing Line of the Hot Strip Mill also achieved record quarterly production. The New Plate Mill produced 2,66,263 tonnes of plate in Q1, an 11.6% year-on-year growth,  while HR plate output from the Sheet Shearing Line rose by 14.9% to 82,514 tonnes, reflecting healthy growth in high-value product segments. Operational improvements helped maximize the road despatch coefficient, delivering a record June road despatch of 48,564 tonnes. RSP also achieved its highest April–June direct despatch figures of 8,27,871 tonnes, surpassing the previous best of 7,95,521 tonnes.

By prioritizing both road and direct despatch, RSP has also reinforced its focus on working capital optimization. High contributions from value-added segments such as Plate Mill and HR plate production have positively impacted the plant’s bottom line.

Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), a flagship unit of Maharatna Steel Conglomerate, SAIL, concluded the calendar year 2025 with a string of remarkable achievements in key production units, demonstrating its best-ever performance for any calendar year. The year also witnessed commencement of slab casting from of Caster-4 of Steel Melting Shop-2 on 13^th October, 2025.

The Blast Furnace-5 ‘Durga’ produced 32,39,390 tons of Hot Metal in 2025 to register its best calendar year performance improving upon its earlier best figure of 30,72,786 tons achieved in 2024. Similarly, the Blast Furnace-1 tapped 10,62,722 tons of Hot Metal to clock its best annual performance with a growth of 8.9% over the previous calendar year 2024. The Hot Strip Mill-2 rolled 26,54,530 tons of HR Coils to achieve its best calendar year performance thereby improving upon its earlier best performance of 25,23,587 tons achieved in 2024. The Sheet Shearing Line also produced 3,16,582 tons of HR Plates to clock its best calendar year record with a growth of 39.3% over the previous year. The New Plate Mill registered its best calendar year performance by rolling 9,75,133 tons of plates and exceeding its earlier best figure of 9,47,778 tons achieved in 2024. The Sintering Plant-3 produced 37,45,069 tons of sinter to register its best annual performance surpassing the earlier best record of 37,30,532 tons achieved in 2021.

With 32,11,017 tons direct dispatch and 6,17,396 tons road dispatch, RSP achieved a growth of 11% and 19% over the previous year respectively.

In the techno-economics area also, RSP exhibited record performances with sustained focus on reducing input cost. The coal to hot metal ratio was all time best 0.882 while the shop coke rate stood at all time best figure of 385 Kgs. The Coke Rate of BF-5 was an all time best of 368 Kgs. The year also witnessed record improvements in different areas. A best yearly average ladle life of 147.5 heats was achieved in CCM-II. The SMS-2 Converters also achieved Best-ever yearly average life of 7,734.5 heats.

The match was held between Team One Million Tonnes and Team Near Miss, led by Mr. R. K. Bisare, CGM (NPM & SPP) and Mr. P K Padhi, GM (SPP). Both teams displayed commendable skill and sportsmanship, making the game an exciting affair. The match ended in a draw, celebrating camaraderie and fun.

Mr. S. Sudhakar, GM (NPM), Mr. R. Naveen, AGM (NPM), Mr. M. P. Prasad, Sr. Manager (NPM), and Mr. Abhijit Patnaik, Sr. Manager (NPM), were jointly declared Man of the Match. Mr. S. Gouda, Sr. Manager (NPM), playing for Near Miss, was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper. The awards were presented by Mr. R. K. Bisare.

The event was coordinated by Mr. K. C. Mohanty, AGM (NPM), Mr. Abhijit Patnaik, and Mr. Suman Kumar, DSO (NPM). Mr. Suman Kumar and Ms. P. Nath, ASO (NPM & SPP) anchored during the match. The match served as a welcome break from the daily routine and strengthened team spirit among the executives.

It is noteworthy that the Reheating Furnace of NPM was facing intermittent issues such as maintain efficiency and prevent damage, water is circulated through horizontal beams to keep the temperature within safe limits. However, over time, the horizontal beams and skid posts experience oxidation, leading to gradual thinning and frequent replacements. In recent years, the frequency of punctures in the skid posts has become an alarming issue, causing interruptions in production and damage to vital components such as pipe support beams, refractory materials, and recuperators in the reheating furnaces. These malfunctions, operating at extreme temperatures, can result in significant production losses.

The Tejas QC took up the challenge to address the problem. The team after detailed study and brainstorming added an extra cooling line, sourced from the main water supply, to regulate temperatures at the skid posts that were exceeding safe limits. This additional cooling line helped to keep the skid posts within the permissible temperature range, converting potential breakdowns into scheduled maintenance shutdowns.

The QC team bagged the prestigious J K Das Memorial Trophy in the recently organised Chapter Level Quality Circle Competitions held at Rourkela securing highest grade amongst the 140 participating teams from various big corporate houses.