Going on stream

It did not take long for the work to begin thereafter. In 1908 the plant became functional and the next year, in 1909 the blast furnaces, steel furnaces, coke ovens, powerhouse and machine shops were laid down. Land for the site, mines and quarries were acquired in 1910. Not only did they receive a helping hand from the people of India, even the Government contributed their bit by connecting railway to Gorumahisani.

The Tatas had taken upon themselves the task of civilizing the wilderness of India. The initial plant is no match to its counterpart that stands today. It was equipped with two 200-tonne furnaces, four 40-tonne open- hearth furnaces, 180 copper coke ovens, a steam-driven blooming mill, a rail & structural mill. The first steel ingot was rolled on 16th February 1912 - a momentous day in the history of industrial India.