The 6th edition of India Steel 2025, an International Conference-cum-Exhibition organized by the Ministry of Steel, was held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, bringing together key stakeholders from the steel, energy, and logistics sectors, along with policymakers, industrialists, and potential investors. Shri M.B. Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka, participated in the conference and addressed the State Round Table on the theme “Focusing on the Steel Sector in the State of Karnataka.” The conclave, focused on “Conducive Logistics Infrastructure for the Steel Sector,” served as a platform to explore investment opportunities, sustainable growth, and innovation within the industry.
Shri Patil highlighted Karnataka’s significant contribution of nearly 15% to India’s steel output and its pivotal role in the country’s metallurgical economy. He underscored the state’s industrial strength, anchored by India’s largest integrated steel plant—JSW Steel in Ballari with a capacity of 18 MTPA—and a rising cluster of steel players in Koppal, including Kalyani Steels, Kirloskar Ferrous, and the Baldota Group. The mineral-rich belts of Ballari, Chitradurga, and Sandur, he noted, form the backbone of this thriving ecosystem.
To unlock the sector’s full potential, Shri MB Patil emphasized the need to strengthen logistics infrastructure in line with industrial growth. Ongoing projects such as the Hubballi–Ankola railway line, National Highway upgrades, and the Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Bengaluru are already transforming connectivity. The New Mangalore Port is becoming a key node in steel exports, while industrial corridors like the Chennai–Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and Bengaluru–Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC) are enhancing regional and national linkages.
Shri MB Patil urged the central government to extend further support in developing multimodal transport networks, new sea ports, and fully equipped industrial clusters. He highlighted Karnataka’s Industrial Policy 2025–2030, which targets INR 7.5 lakh crore in investments and 20 lakh jobs—with logistics identified as a core enabler. The state’s business-friendly reforms, including GIS-based land allocation, time-bound digital approvals, and an AI-powered investor helpdesk under the Single Window Clearance System, are designed to ensure ease of doing business and fast-tracked project execution.
Shri MB Patil called for collaborative efforts across stakeholders—private industry, central ministries, and state governments—to build a future-ready, digitally integrated, and cost-efficient logistics ecosystem that will power the steel industry and beyond.
“Karnataka is not just producing steel—we are building the foundation for a smarter, better-connected, and globally competitive future. The true strength of the steel sector lies in seamless logistics, and we are committed to transforming the journey from mine to market into a strategic advantage that drives prosperity, resilience, and global leadership,” said Shri M.B. Patil.
As part of his visit, Shri M.B. Patil also met with the Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal at the sidelines of the summit. In addition, Shri MB Patil held meetings with leading companies including Kalyani Steels and Danfoss, where he encouraged them to expand or initiate investments in the state. The discussions focused on strengthening industrial infrastructure, facilitating trade, and positioning Karnataka as a leading destination for global and domestic investments.