Centre to wipe out rust with galvanised steel

24 October 2016

The Centre is considering a proposal to mandate galvanisation of steel in sectors such as automobile, construction and infrastructure in a bid to build corrosion-resistant vehicles and buildings.

Inter-ministerial discussions on the issue are underway and a Cabinet note would be moved to stipulate the usage of zinc-coated steel which would last much longer than regular steel, especially in corrosion-prone areas along India’s long coastline, Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said on the sidelines of an international galvanising conference in the capital.

“India is the third largest producer of zinc but our consumption should also be higher and this will boost consumption of zinc as well as steel and curb losses of thousands of crore to the economy due to corrosion,” the minister said, adding that galvanised steel could also be deployed in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for affordable housing.

“We have had talks on this issue with a few ministries, including the Railways and Petroleum ministries and will talk to other concerned departments such as road transport and defence soon. It will need a policy decision that we will take to the Cabinet,” Mr. Singh said.

Source – The Hindu