Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran exuded confidence that Tata Steel would touch the 25MT production mark in the next couple of years, producing one-fourth of the country’s total steel, irrespective of external challenges.

Chandrasekaran was in the steel city for Founder’s Day on Tuesday — the birth anniversary of Tata Group founder JN Tata — without chairman emeritus Ratan Tata. Though there was no official confirmation, Tata, 82, is learnt to be under the weather.

Chandrasekaran, 56, was upbeat about Tata Steel despite the sagging economy.

“Tata Steel is focused on a growth path despite the poor macroeconomic conditions in India. We expect the steel demand to pick up on the back of increased government spend on infrastructure and revival of the domestic economy. We expect our annual production capacity to reach 25MT in the next two-three years,” he said.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran meets visitors

The capacity of the main Tata Steel plant in Jamshedpur is 11MT while that of its Kalinganagar (Odisha) plant is 3MT with work on to scale it up to 8MT. The company has taken over Bhushan Steel, with a capacity is 3.5 MT and which is likely to increase to 5.5 MT. The company has also acquired Usha Martin (1 MT), which will take the overall capacity of Tata Steel to 25MT.

Chandrasekaran who arrived in the city on Monday evening said there were signs of revival. “We are seeing early signs of revival and expect 2020-21 to be a better year for the steel industry,” he said.

He admitted the impact of the coronavirus on the Tata Group. “It has certainly affected the economy globally and our group supply chain and manufacturing sector.”

Earlier, the chairman paid floral tributes to the statue of JN Tata inside the Tata Steel works along with Tata Steel CEO and MD T.V. Narendran, executive director and chief finance officer Koushik Chatterjee and a host of executives of Tata Steel, subsidiary units and sister concerns.

Ratan Tata was sorely missed.

Tableaux at the Founder’s Day function inside Tata Steel works on Tuesday

Festivities began at 7.30am with a march past by contingents of departments of Tata Steel at the plant’s main gate. There were 10 floats by departments and group companies and over 40 contingents in the march. Tata Steel Utilities and Infrastructure Services Limited (formerly Jusco) bagged the best float award and corporate services was adjudged the best contingent. The theme was “Get Decade Ready”.

Chandrasekaran and Narendran inaugurated an exhibition on the theme “Future Ready- Connected, Agile, Sustainable” at the Steelennium Hall inside the plant. A book on mining and its impact on mankind was released.

The chairman also flagged off a tableaux at the Postal Park in Bistupur where he spoke to a 2,000-plus audience. “As a city Jamshedpur embodies the spirit of the Founder’s vision and hold a place of pride in the nation. The inclusive spirit of the city is commendable. Tata Steel will be committed to develop the city into a model city for the world, along with the government and administration.”

Tata Steel, on the request of the railways, also held a Quiz-on-the-go on the Steel Express on JN Tata and Jamshedpur.