Naidu lays stone for AM/NS India greenfield steel plant

Nakkapalli (Ankapalalle dist): In a massive boost for industrialisation in Andhra Pradesh and sustaining growth momentum, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for India's single largest greenfield steel plant here in Anakapalle district by ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel (AM/NS) India.

The project being taken up in two phases is envisaged to create one lakh jobs with a total investment of Rs1.5 lakh crore.

Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy and his MoS colleague Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, along with industry leaders including Lakshmi Mittal and Aditya Mittal and Anakapalle MP CM Ramesh were present.

Naidu said the landmark project is poised to transform the industrial landscape of the State and claimed credit for bringing massive investments to AP due to support from the Centre and their growing focus on speed of doing business.

The Chief Minister said: “This project is another strong example of AP’s status as a preferred investment destination and a reflection of strengthening global business confidence in our state. The AP Government is fully committed to supporting ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India in realising this investment that will drive growth, create jobs, and strengthen the state’s role in India’s industrial future"

The project will be developed in two phases, with Phase 1 alone attracting an investment of Rs70,000 crore. Once completed, the plant will have a production capacity of 17.8 million metric tonnes per annum by 2033 positioning it among the largest steel manufacturing hubs in the country. It is also pertinent to note that with this investment, AM/NS becomes the first integrated steel company to hold a green steel certification from the Ministry of Steel.

Spread across over 5,400 acres, the integrated steel plant will be complemented by a captive port, further strengthening AP’s logistics and export ecosystem. The port project, backed by an additional investment of over Rs11,000 crore, is expected to generate another 6,000 jobs, reinforcing the region’s industrial ecosystem.

The State Government has already initiated critical infrastructure upgrades, including four-lane connectivity to NH-16, along with dedicated water and power supply systems to support the project.

In his address, Kumaraswamy said: “As India – the second largest crude steel producer in the world – advances towards its long-term steel capacity goals under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, projects of this scale will require sustained investment, advanced technologies, and strong execution capabilities. This collaboration brings together global expertise and domestic ambition to strengthen India’s steel ecosystem. I extend my best wishes to ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India and look forward to this facility contributing meaningfully to the growth and modernisation of the Indian steel industry."

Speaking on the occasion, Lakshmi Mittal, Executive Chairman, ArcelorMittal, said: “Today marks the next chapter in our partnership with India, one built on shared ambition and enduring trust. I have been in the steel industry now for fifty years, and I can honestly say that what we are building here in India is one of the highlights of these 50 years.