NMDC Ltd. has commissioned a Rs 5,427‑crore integrated iron‑ore project in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, realising a 15‑million‑tonne‑per‑annum slurry pipeline and a 2‑million‑tonne‑per‑annum pellet plant. The 135‑km pipeline will link Bacheli’s ore fields to the Nagarnar steel plant, closing the loop from mining to smelting.
The project marks a pivotal shift in NMDC’s value‑chain strategy, which has traditionally focused on raw ore exports. By adding processing and pelletisation on‑site, the company aims to cut transportation costs, reduce environmental impact and increase profitability in a sector dominated by foreign‑owned mining firms.
Chairman Ramesh Yadav said the investment will create roughly 500 direct jobs in Bastar and boost local supply chains. “We are not just building infrastructure; we are building livelihoods,” he told a press conference in Raipur.
Local officials welcomed the project, citing a potential rise in regional revenue and a boost to ancillary industries such as logistics and transportation. The district collector noted that the pipeline’s alignment avoids major settlements, mitigating displacement concerns.
NMDC plans to start pellet production in the first quarter of 2027, with full steel output at Nagarnar slated for 2028. The company will monitor the pipeline’s performance before expanding the network to other mining districts.