Centre Clears AMNS India’s Slurry Pipeline, Paving Way for 17 MTPA Integrated Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh

In a significant development for India’s steel sector, the Ministry of Steel has granted approval to ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS India) for establishing an iron ore slurry pipeline connecting Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. This clearance marks a crucial milestone in the implementation of AMNS India’s ambitious 17 million tonne per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant at Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh.

The approval, issued under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, enables AMNS India to acquire the right of way for the land through which the slurry pipeline will pass. Once completed, the pipeline will transport iron ore in slurry form from Chhattisgarh to the Anakapalle site, creating a cost-effective and eco-friendly logistics corridor. This system is expected to significantly reduce dependence on traditional road and rail networks for raw material movement.

The Anakapalle steel plant, one of India’s largest greenfield projects, will be developed in two phases, with 8.2 MTPA capacity planned in the first phase. Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Expert Appraisal Committee also recommended environmental clearance for the project’s first phase, bringing the project closer to the execution stage.

Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for HRD, IT, Electronics and RTGS, Nara Lokesh, welcomed the approval, noting that the AMNS India project will generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities. He added that the project would not only strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s industrial ecosystem but also enhance India’s standing in the global steel supply chain.

The AMNS India Anakapalle project represents a major boost for India’s steel manufacturing landscape. With both environmental and infrastructure approvals now in place, the project is set to transform the region into a major steel production hub, driving sustainable industrial growth and long-term economic benefits for the state.