JRD Tata’s 1980 visit to Jharkhand’s West Bokaro: Pioneering Tata Steel’s path to self-reliance

Mail News Service

Ramgarh, July 29: Tata Steel’s journey towards self-reliance began early, with the company acquiring its own mines and reserves to secure energy and resources for steel production. In 1977, Tata Steel (formerly TISCO) initiated a significant expansion project involving open cast mining at the West Bokaro colliery. This project aimed to supply 0.72 million tonnes of clean coal annually to Jamshedpur Works, crucial for meeting the company’s coal requirements.

Recognizing the importance of this expansion, JRD Tata, the former Chairman of Tata Sons, visited West Bokaro for the first time on December 11, 1980. During his visit, he urged employees to redouble their efforts. JRD Tata inaugurated the first equipment installed in Washery-2, a 45-tonne vibrating screen, and unveiled a commemorative plaque. He also inspected operations at Quarry A.

The Washery and Logistics were combined to form the Coal Beneficiation Group. Over the years, the group has upgraded its technologies and facilities to meet the company’s evolving needs. Currently, the Coal Beneficiation Group has a capacity of 7 million tonnes per annum of raw coal. The material handling facility transitioned from a mono-cable ropeway to a long pipe conveyor, showcasing its commitment to modernization and efficiency. Technological advancements in coal beneficiation include an online clean coal ash analyser, scrolled evolve cyclone, vacuum belt filter, and reflux classifier.

The group has achieved pioneering milestones, such as being the first in India to implement coal beneficiation in washeries in 1951 and owning the world’s largest vacuum belt filter in coal mining, enhancing clean coal production. Safety, health, and environmental responsibility are key pillars of the group’s operations, striving to minimize environmental impact.

Upholding JRD Tata’s legacy and guiding principles, the Coal Beneficiation Group of West Bokaro Division continues to strive for excellence.