VIJAYAWADA: In a major milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s industrial growth, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended environmental clearance for ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel’s (AM/NS) 8.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) greenfield integrated steel plant in Anakapalli district.
Backed by a Rs 1.5 lakh crore investment, the project, India’s largest greenfield steel manufacturing initiative, has secured all major approvals, including land, in just 14 months since AM/NS first engaged with the State government in August 2024. The joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Japan’s Nippon Steel will develop the plant in phases, starting with 8.2 MTPA integrated steel capacity, and eventually scaling to 24 MTPA. The facility will use advanced, energy-efficient, and low-emission technologies that meet global standards for sustainability and carbon management.
Set to become the key anchor for the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Corridor, the plant will enable the growth of steel-based downstream units, machinery production clusters, and logistics networks across north coastal Andhra.
The State government has allotted the required land within three months, and extended single-window facilitation, allowing the company to obtain all necessary statutory and environmental clearances without any delay.
The foundation stone for the plant will be laid during the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on November 14 and 15, in the presence of top global CEOs, policymakers, and industrial leaders.
AP stands for speed & efficiency: IT Minister
Aditya Mittal, Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal and Managing Director of AM/NS, said, “We are all very impressed with the speed with which the Andhra Pradesh Government allotted land to us, handed it over, and supported us in obtaining the resource linkages and permits required to set up this world-class project. Our vision is to create not just a steel plant but a hub for innovation, sustainability, and new employment in India’s steel sector.”
Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Human Resorces Development and Real-time Governance Society (RTGS), said, “This project is a reflection of what Andhra Pradesh represents today — speed, transparency, and efficiency in governance. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, we have built a system that can match global benchmarks in industrial facilitation.
The AM/NS plant will transform the economic landscape of coastal Andhra Pradesh, generate several lakhs of jobs for youth, and significantly boost local manufacturing, exports, and skill development.”
The project is expected to catalyse massive infrastructure development in the region as alos strengthen the Visakhapatnam –Anakapalli–Kakinada industrial belt, and anchor India’s position as a major player in sustainable steel production.
