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QUESTION 7
GS1
10 marks

Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material, by giving examples.

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7 min
150 words
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What the examiner wants

Explain with examples why newer iron and steel plants are located away from ore and coal fields.

Account forGive the reasons that explain it.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Old pattern: near raw material (Jamshedpur, Bhilai, Bokaro, Rourkela) because ore and coal are weight-losing≈30 words
  2. 2New pattern: coastal and market locations (Visakhapatnam, Ratnagiri/Dolvi, Hazira, Paradip) due to imported coking coal, export markets, ports≈30 words
  3. 3Other factors: mini steel plants using scrap and electric arc furnaces near markets; better transport; water≈30 words
  4. 4Examples abroad: Japan, South Korea≈30 words

Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.

Answer plan

Weber's theoryShift in location factorsIndian examplesConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Only describing raw-material-based plants
  • No coastal plants named, e.g. Visakhapatnam, Hazira, Dolvi, Paradip; or Japan's port mills

Draw this

  • Map of India with old (inland) and new (coastal) steel plants

Value addition

  • DataIndia imports about 85% of its coking coal, mainly from Australia, which favours coastal plants.Ministry of Steel
  • ExampleJSW Dolvi (Maharashtra) and AM/NS Hazira (Gujarat) are coast-based plants using imported inputs.Ministry of Steel