Govt leans on PSUs to boost consumption of green steel

The Centre aims to provide an assured market for steel producers under the proposed plan

- Subhash Narayan

The government is looking to make public sector undertakings (PSUs) the drivers of India's green steel revolution by nudging them to become the first buyers of eco-friendly steel produced in the country.

According to two people aware of the matter, the steel ministry has written to various infrastructure- and industry-focused ministries, asking them to nudge the PSUs under their administrative control to be the first procurers of green steel being rolled out by the domestic industry after the government finalised the green steel taxonomy in December 2024.

Green steel, produced using sustainable manufacturing practices, will be 10-15% more expensive than existing varieties. The plan to involve PSUs in driving its consumption is aimed at encouraging other steel consumers to start buying less-polluting steel.