At the Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP), the first ingot was cast on April 24, 1960, in the steel melting shop and this day is observed as DSP day. The plant, one of the five integrated steel plants of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), was set up in late 50s with an initial capacity of 1 million tonnes crude steel per annum. The capacity of the plant was enhanced to 1.6 million tonnes of crude steel per annum in 1969.
The plant underwent a major technological upgrade in the 90s. After modernisation, the plant has the capacity to produce 1.92 million tonnes of hot metal, 1.876 million tonnes of liquid steel and 1.586 million tonnes of saleable steel. The steel plant occupies an area of over 6.5 sq km.
Durgapur is located on the banks of the Damodar river, about 160km west of Kolkata. The GT Road, which has been converted into a four-lane expressway, and the Kolkata-Delhi railway line pass through Durgapur.
The Durgapur Steel Plant township occupies an area of 40 sq km. Many other industries have come up around the township.