According to official data, the country's crude steel production was up around 6 per cent to hit an all-time high of 101.28 million tonnes (MT) last year.

Commenting on the issue, a JPC Official told the media, “During April-December of the fiscal 2017-18, the output stood at 75.50 MT as against 72.20 MT during the same period a year ago, an expansion of 4.6 per cent.”

"For the first time..., India's crude steel production crossed the 100 million tonnes mark in 2017, reaching 101.227 MT, a growth of 5.87 per cent over 2016," he said.

“In December alone, the country produced 8.65 MT as against 8.38 MT in the same month a year ago,” he added.

As per reports, India is the third largest producer of crude steel in the world after China and Japan. The country is now aiming to grab the second spot. The government is taking various measures to promote the domestic steel sector and raise capacity.