Steel Authority of India approved the implementation of eight projects at an investment of around Rs 300 crore, on 28 June 2005.

Out of these projects, three pertain to Bokaro Steel Plant, two to Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and one each for Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) and Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant.

The projects sanctioned are over and above the capital schemes valued at over Rs.3,000 crore, which are under various stages of implementation.

One of the projects is the modification of the Mae West block system at BSL's hot strip mill. The project is likely to improve the consistency in the quality of BSL's hot rolled products. The project is scheduled to complete in two phases by 2007-08 at a cost of Rs.92 crore.

Another project at BSL is the installation of a hydrochloric acid regeneration plant for the pickling line II at an investment of around Rs.50 crore. The project on completion will improve the pickling process that involves the removal of oxide layers from the surface of colled rolled coils.

The other projects include the installation of power supply facilities for setting up a new oxygen plant at Bokaro on BOO basis. Simultaneously, VISL was given a final nod for setting up a cryogenic air separation unit also on a BOO basis.

The other projects approved on Tuesday were the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) at Bhilai plant with an

A project of installation of a hot metal desulphurisation unit at RSP's steel melting shop II valued at Rs.49 crore was also approved.