Rourkela: Despite sluggishness in the market in steel sector, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) continued to maintain high levels of production during April-October of this fiscal.

“The steel plant during October 2008 registered output of 2,01,619 tonnes of hot metal from its four blast furnaces, which is all time high, compared to any month since inception of the steel plant and also achieved phenomenal capacity utilisation of nearby 119%,” RSP sources said today.

“This led to crude steel production of 1,90,000 tonnes with capacity utilisation of 118 per cent,” the sources said.

During April-October 2008, the steel plant’s hot metal reached 1.32 million tonnes, crude steel production touched 1.24 million tonnes and saleable steel output stood 1. 13 million tonnes representing capacity utilisation of nearly 113%, 112% and 115% respectively.

“In the areas of hot metal and crude steel, the figures were not only the best ever for any April to October since inception of the plant but indicates growth of 4.6% and 6.2% over the corresponding period of last financial year,” the sources said.

“In the finishing mills, the plate mill achieved all time best April-October production achieving nearly 0.28 million tonnes while the unit achieved best ever October production of 43541 tonnes corresponding to a phenomenal 169% of rated capacity,” the sources said.