Kumaraswamy visits Bhadravati steel plant, factory fate hangs in balance

Shivamogga, NT Bureau: Union Minister for Heavy industries, Steel and Public Enterprises HD Kumaraswamy visited the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant in Bhadravati town of Shivamogga district on Sunday. He added that the visit was to inquire about the health of the plant and the plight of the factory workers.

The former chief minister also conceded that the visit was meant also to inquire information necessary to answer one of five questions posed by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Jairam Ramesh.

The plant run by Steel Authority of India (SAI) faces phased closure initiated in 2022. Ramesh had asked if the plant could be revived.

“Rather than attempting to shut down the plant will Mr Kumaraswamy take measures to revive it?” Ramesh had asked.

“After taking charge as the Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Congress Rajya Sabha member Jairam Ramesh had asked me five questions about five plants, including the Bhadravati plant. I have come to gather information. I have gathered all the pros and cons to preserve the plant. A decision will be announced soon,” Kumaraswamy said.