SMS News Bureau Rourkela
“Everyone goes home safe, every day- our first and foremost priority,” emphasizes Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda, CMD, SAIL
“Our first and foremost priority is that everyone goes home safe, every day. No level of production or profit can justify an unsafe act,” strongly stressed Dr. Panda while interacting with senior officers of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), at the Manthan Conference Hall on 27th September 2026. Mr. Alok Verma, Director-in-Charge (DIC), RSP, along with Executive Directors, Chief General Managers, and Heads of Departments, was present on the occasion.
The meeting commenced with a welcome address by the Director-in-Charge. In his address, the CMD thoroughly discussed critical operational areas requiring reinforcement across all levels, right from contract workers to Heads of Departments, emphasizing that any compromise on safety norms is unpardonable. Dr. Panda outlined six key focus areas, following which the participants took a pledge to act diligently on all six fronts without resorting to shortcuts or making exceptions. They also pledged to ensure the safety and well-being of their colleagues.
“If Safety, Maintenance, and Digitalization are top-notch, production will improve organically,” Dr. Panda added. He exhorted the RSP collective to boost the output of high-end value-added products that yield higher margins, while also highlighting the need for decarbonization initiatives, enhanced equipment health, and increased dispatch efficiency.
During the interaction session, Dr. Panda deliberated on various issues raised by the senior officers.
Mr. Alok Verma, thanked the CMD for his thoughtful guidance and stressed on the guidelines being followed diligently.
Notably, the CMD arrived at Rourkela in the morning of 27th September. He was accorded a warm welcome at the Airport by Mr. Alok Verma and other senior officers. Soon after, the CMD along with Director In-Charge and other senior officers visited various units of the Plant namely, New Plate Mill, SMS-2, Blast Furnace-5 and interacted with the concerned executives and employees.
