Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant

SAIL Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL), Bhadravati

The Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL), a unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), stands as a testament to India's early industrialization efforts and continues to contribute to the nation's steel production capabilities. Located in Bhadravati, Karnataka, VISL has a rich legacy of producing high-quality alloy and special steels, catering to various sectors including defense, railways, and engineering industries.

Historical Background

Established in 1918 as the Mysore Wood Distillation and Iron Works by the visionary engineer and statesman Sir M. Visvesvaraya, the plant was later renamed the Mysore Iron and Steel Works in 1936. In 1976, it was rechristened as Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Limited (VISL) in honor of its founder. The plant became a unit of SAIL in 1989, integrating it into the national steel production framework.

Infrastructure and Facilities

VISL boasts a range of facilities designed to produce a variety of steel products:

• Steel Melting Shop: Equipped with electric arc furnaces for producing high-quality steel.
• Ladle Refining Furnace (LRF) and Vacuum Degassing (VD) Unit: Ensure precise control over the chemical composition and removal of dissolved gases from molten steel.
• Rolling Mills: Including bar and rod mills, shaping steel into various forms.
• Forge Plant: Equipped with hydraulic presses and hammers for producing forged products.
• Heat Treatment Facilities: Includes furnaces for annealing, normalizing, quenching, and tempering processes.
• Testing and Quality Control Laboratories: Ensure that products meet stringent quality standards through mechanical, chemical, and non-destructive testing.

These facilities enable VISL to produce steels with precise chemical compositions and mechanical properties, tailored to specific customer requirements.

Product Portfolio

VISL specializes in the production of a diverse range of alloy and special steels, including:

• Constructional Steels: Used in the manufacturing of automotive components, machinery parts, and structural applications.
• Tool and Die Steels: Essential for producing cutting tools, dies, and molds.
• Spring Steels: Utilized in the production of springs for automotive and industrial applications.
• Bearing Steels: Critical for manufacturing high-performance bearings.
• Stainless Steels: Employed in applications requiring corrosion resistance, such as in the chemical and food processing industries.
• High-Speed Steels: Used in the production of cutting tools that operate at high speeds.
• Defence-Grade Steels: Tailored for applications in defense equipment and armaments.

These products cater to a wide array of industries, including defense, railways, automotive, power, engineering, and manufacturing sectors.

Technological Advancements

VISL has continually embraced technological innovations to enhance its production processes and product quality:

• Modernization Projects: Implementation of state-of-the-art equipment and processes to improve productivity and environmental performance.
• Automation: Adoption of advanced automation systems to ensure precision and efficiency in operations.

These technological innovations have positioned VISL as a producer of high-quality alloy and special steels in the country.

Revival and Modernization Efforts

Recognizing the strategic importance of VISL, the Government of India has announced plans to invest approximately ₹15,000 crore to revitalize and modernize the plant. This initiative aims to upgrade existing facilities, enhance production capacity, and align the plant's operations with contemporary environmental and efficiency standards.

Environmental Stewardship

In alignment with SAIL's commitment to sustainable development, VISL implements various environmental conservation measures:

• Emission Control: Installation of pollution control equipment to minimize air and water pollution.
• Waste Management: Efficient handling and recycling of industrial waste to reduce environmental impact.
• Energy Efficiency: Adoption of energy-efficient technologies and practices to reduce carbon footprint.
• Green Initiatives: Development of green belts and afforestation programs within and around the plant premises.

VISL's dedication to environmental stewardship ensures the minimization of its ecological footprint while maintaining high production standards.

Workforce and Community Engagement

VISL prides itself on a skilled and dedicated workforce, which has been instrumental in its achievements. The plant also actively engages with the local community through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives focusing on education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

Contact Us : Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL)
L. Praveen Kumar | GM (P, HR & PR))
Email : sailvislpr[at]gmail[dot]com
Tel : 08282-273938