Question

In 1919, a steel plant was set up at _____________.
A. Bhadravathi
B. Burnpur
C. Rourkela
D. Jamshedpur

Answer 1

Hint: IISCO was set up in 1919 and it is one of the oldest steel plants of India. This steel plant is situated on the banks of river Damodar.

Complete Step by Step Answer: The Indian Iron and Steel company was set up 200 km away from Kolkata on the banks of Damodar river in Burnpur, West Bengal, India. It is a subsidiary of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), was amalgamated on 16th February 2006 with SAIL and was renamed as IISCO Steel Plant. One of the oldest full-fledged integrated steel plants produced iron for the first time in 1922 from an open-top blast furnace situated in Burnpur, formerly known as Hirapur, West Bengal. This steel plant manufactures a variety of products and is well-known for producing the finest quality of iron and steel.

With the modification and modernisation-cum-expansion programme, the total crude steel capacity of the plant has increased to 2.5 million tonnes per year. The plant acquires iron ore from the Chiria and Gua town of Jharkhand. This particular steel plant became the first Indian blue-chip company to have its own shares traded at the London Stock Exchange. However, the company drove into stagnation and decline despite its growth plans resulting in the lack of investment for technology upgradation. So, in 1772 IISCO was nationalised and became a subsidiary of SAIL in 1979.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: IISCO was once the flagship of Martin Burn House, acquired iron ore from the state of Jharkhand which helped the steel plant in establishing a prestigious reputation in the foreign market as well as in the domestic markets.