Bokaro: In a major boost to India’s steel manufacturing capabilities, Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has launched commercial production of checker plates for the first time, marking a significant stride in product diversification and market expansion.
Historic Milestone for BSL
The successful rolling of checker plates signals a technical breakthrough for BSL, positioning it as the only SAIL unit currently producing the product, after earlier production was confined to the Rourkela Steel Plant.
During trial runs, the plant produced 12 coils ranging from 1,250–1,500 mm in width and 5–6 mm in thickness, entirely using in-house expertise. The technical team executed the rollout through detailed micro-planning, precise machine calibration, and continuous monitoring.
Big Market, Bigger Opportunity
India’s annual demand for checker plates is estimated at 3.6 lakh tonnes. With commercialization underway, BSL has set an ambitious target of producing an additional 30,000 tonnes per month, over and above regular HR coil output.
The move is also expected to improve profitability, as checker plates offer a higher Net Sales Realization (NSR) — nearly ₹1,500 per tonne more than standard HR coils.
Upgrades Ahead for Full-Scale Production
To ramp up capacity, BSL is fast-tracking several modernization projects, including:
- Procurement of Adamite rolls
- Upgradation of L1 and L2 automation systems
- Completion of ISO certifications
All enhancements are expected to be completed by January 2026, enabling smoother, high-volume production cycles.
Leadership and Teamwork Behind the Success
The achievement comes under the leadership of ED (Works) Priya Ranjan, ED (Operations) Anoop Kumar Dutt, and CGM (Hot Strip Mill) P.K. Verma. Senior management applauded the team for its innovation, coordination, and commitment to elevating BSL’s product portfolio.
