THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

ROURKELA, JUNE 25, 2026

 “Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) is currently being considered as the Best Steel Plant in SAIL, and you have to sustain this stature,” exhorted Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda, Chairman and Managing Director, SAIL, while addressing the Rourkela Steel Plant collective during an interaction session held at Gopabandhu Auditorium on Thursday.

Alok Verma, Director In-Charge (RSP), shared the dais with the CMD. The event was attended by Executive Directors, Chief General Managers, Heads of Departments, and a cross-section of around 500 employees.

Recalling the more than 26 years he spent at RSP during the early phase of his career, Dr. Panda said that returning to Rourkela is always a nostalgic experience, as he and his family have always considered the city their home.

Focusing on the theme of the interaction — earning more than Rs. 10,000 crore Profit Before Tax (PBT) during the current fiscal — Dr. Panda analysed various aspects of the plant’s operations, with special emphasis on six key areas: Safety, Equipment Health, Elimination of Breakdowns, Net Sales Realisation, Customer Order-Driven Production, and Increasing the Share of Value-Added Products. Delving deep into each aspect, he compared the plant’s performance parameters with national benchmarks and discussed strategies to achieve and surpass those standards, underscoring that these goals are well within reach.

In his insightful address, the CMD cited real-life examples from various SAIL plants to highlight how a change in mindset can deliver exceptional results. He also stressed the need to maximise the use of Artificial Intelligence and advised all Heads of Departments to identify opportunities where AI can be leveraged to improve yield, productivity, and operational efficiency.

Another key focus area for Dr. Panda was housekeeping, which he described as an essential component of safety, production excellence, and a healthy work culture.

Dr. Panda also effusively praised Alok Verma and the entire RSP collective for the successful execution of the massive boundary wall construction project undertaken for the next phase of the plant’s expansion.

Speaking on the occasion, Alok Verma stressed the importance of reducing the cost of production through various measures in order to remain competitive in the steel market.

A major highlight of the programme was the interactive session, during which employees from different departments shared their success stories, challenges faced, and plans for contributing to the plant’s growth and development. The CMD and the Director In-Charge analysed each idea and suggestion in detail, offering solutions, appreciating achievements, and discussing the way forward.

Earlier, Atish Chandra Sarkar, CGM (Services) and Acting ED (Works), welcomed the gathering and observed that Dr. Panda, being the first Management Trainee from RSP to rise to the position of CMD of SAIL, has set an inspiring example for the plant’s young and ambitious employees.

A presentation on the CMD’s focus areas was made by Ashok Jena, AGM (PR), Anil Jha, Deputy Manager (PR), and Dipak Mohanty, Assistant Manager (SMS-2). The programme was anchored by Joydev Majumdar, Assistant Manager (PR).

Dr. Panda arrived in Rourkela earlier in the day and was accorded a warm welcome at the airport by Alok Verma and the Executive Directors. A Guard of Honour was presented to him by the CISF upon his arrival.