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| Malkera Choitodih Colliery |
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On track
The early years of the plant experienced a few hiccups that eased out eventually. Problems with the quality of Coal, the original furnace designs, and scarcity of skilled labour and trained technical personnel were sorted out with time.
The team also faced a lot of trouble from foreign importers and Indian distributors of imported steel. The British greeted their effort with skepticism and derision. Sir Frederick Upcott, Chief Commissioner of the Indian Railways, remarked to Charles Perin, “Do you mean to say that the Tatas propose to make steel rails to British specifications? Why, I will undertake to eat every pound of steel they succeed in making?” Yet, during World War I, it was the Tatas who supplied steel rails to Mesopotamia, which played an important part in the allied victories. |
