R.V. Prasad’s scientific contributions

Presently in India many steel plants are coming up and the growth plan is in tune with the boom being experienced by the global steel industry and the high rates of growth being established by the Indian economy and the major steel-consuming sectors. The liberalisation of industrial policy in more mature industrial countries like ours and other initiatives taken by the Government have given a definite impetus for entry, participation and growth of the private sector in the steel industry. While the existing units are being modernised/expanded, a large number of new/green field steel plants have also come up in different parts of the country setting up production operations that places them close to natural resource supplies (both in terms of inputs and energy) based on modern, cost effective, state of-the-art technologies. The timely completion of the projects for new forthcoming steel plants is of great challenge in the present Indian scenario. The scenario presented in this paper is only illustration of the probable difficulties which may pose hindrances for timely implementation of projects in the steel industry. New challenges in project management will drive continuing improvements in efficiency and reduction in the cost of project. Health and safety concerns will further encourage automation and technological developments amongst Indian steel industries to reduce labour costs, cost of meeting increasingly stringent environmental requirements and improve productivity and quality.