ARS Steels and Alloy International Founder and MD Ashwani Kumar Bhatia said that the pandemic and environmental permits are causing a significant delay to the Rs 100 crore expansion plans at Gummidipoondi.

The Chennai-based manufacturer of high-quality TMT bars had previously announced plans to expand both the rolling mill's and furnace's output capacities from 1.80 million to 2.5 million tonnes.

“Our expansion plans got hit due to pandemic and environment clearances. We are now in the process of getting the final clearance from the Pollution Control Board,” Ashwani Kumar said.

Asserting that there was no cost overrun due to the delay, he said that all machines required for the expansion were with them and the plant would start functioning from April 2024.