Centre Seeks Andhra Pradesh Security Cover for Visakhapatnam Steel Plant

The Union Ministry of Steel has asked the Andhra Pradesh government to provide security personnel for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited’s Visakhapatnam Steel Plant ahead of the complete withdrawal of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on November 17, 2026. Union Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik has requested the State government to deploy adequate personnel from the Andhra Pradesh Special Protection Force (APSPF) free of cost to ensure uninterrupted security and a smooth transition at the integrated steel facility. The CISF currently handles security and fire protection at the plant. The Ministry of Home Affairs approved its withdrawal in August following a proposal from RINL, with outstanding CISF dues required to be settled as part of the process. RINL has reportedly been spending around ₹150 crore to ₹200 crore annually on CISF deployment under the full-cost recovery system. Moving to State-provided security could therefore reduce a significant financial burden on the financially stressed steelmaker. The Centre has emphasised the need to put alternative arrangements in place well before the November deadline, given the plant’s size and critical industrial infrastructure. Andhra Pradesh police personnel have already been positioned at selected locations as an interim security measure.