Centre plans reviving HMT and VISL: Kumaraswamy

The centre plans reviving HMT and the Sir M. Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISL), Union Heavy Industries and Steel minister H D Kumaraswamy said Thursday. Speaking in Mandya (Karnataka), he said several rounds of discussions have taken place.

An official statement said NITI Aayog Member V K Saraswat has submitted a report on the revival of HMT. A team of Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and HMT officials has visited Japan to explore possibilities of technical collaboration.

“A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared to revive the prestigious HMT factory,” Kumaraswamy said, adding he has sought cooperation from the state government and “held discussions with several industrialists in Delhi regarding setting up industries in Mandya.”

Kumaraswamy reviewed the working of HMT last month by union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The two discussed strengthening HMT’s operations while also exploring new order prospects with Railways.