Raipur, Feb 9 - Fire-hit Bhilai Steel Plant, the largest unit of public sector Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), will soon return to its normal production of about 17,000 tonnes hot metal a day.

Production of hot metal in the unit based in Chhattisgarh's Durg district, about 30 km west of capital Raipur, was severely hit after a fire broke out in the cable tunnel of its power and blowing station (P and BS) early Feb 1. The P and BS supplies compressed air to the steel plant's blast furnaces which produce hot metal.

"Hot metal production from the blast furnaces is picking up. With blast furnace (BF) No. 3 producing 1,035 tonne and BF 4 producing 302 tonne, the total hot metal production on Feb 7 has been 1,337 tonne," a statement from the firm said.

Plant officials say it will take one week to reach a daily full capacity production level of about 17,000 tonnes hot metal.

The Bhilai plant had seen a record production in fiscal year 2008-09 as it produced 5.4 million tonnes of hot metal, 5.2 million tonnes of crude steel and 4.5 million tonnes of saleable steel. (IANS)