Green Corridor For Steel: AMNS Gets Nod For Slurry Pipeline To Andhra Plant

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS) has received a crucial go-ahead from the Ministry of Steel for its proposed iron ore slurry pipeline, which will connect Chhattisgarh to Anakapalle in Andhra Pradesh through Odisha. The pipeline is designed to transport iron ore in slurry form to feed AMNS’s upcoming 17 million tonne per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant, with 8.2 MTPA capacity planned in the first phase.

The approval was granted under the Petroleum and Minerals Pipelines (Acquisition of Right of User in Land) Act, 1962, allowing AMNS to secure right-of-way access across the three states. This infrastructure will significantly reduce reliance on road and rail transport, aligning with India’s push for sustainable industrial logistics.

Key Highlights:  

• Strategic Infrastructure: The slurry pipeline will span multiple states, creating a dedicated corridor for raw material movement. It is expected to lower transportation costs and carbon emissions, enhancing operational efficiency for AMNS.
• Environmental Clearance: The pipeline approval follows recent environmental clearance for the Anakapalle steel plant from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reinforcing the project’s compliance with green norms.
• Investment Scale: The Anakapalle facility is part of India’s largest greenfield steel manufacturing initiative, backed by an investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore. The plant will generate significant employment and boost regional development.
• Legal Framework: The 1962 Act invoked by the Ministry of Steel empowers designated authorities to grant land-use rights for pipeline projects, streamlining execution and minimizing bureaucratic delays.
• Industrial Impact: The project is expected to catalyze growth in India’s eastern and southern industrial belts, improving supply chain resilience and attracting ancillary industries.

The slurry pipeline marks a transformative step in India’s steel logistics, combining scale, sustainability, and strategic planning to support one of the country’s most ambitious manufacturing ventures.

Sources: Business Standard, NewsMeter, The Hindu Business Line, GKToday, Hindustan Times.