Bhubaneswar, April 1 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the expanded and modernized unit of SAIL's Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP).

Modi also visited the plate mill of RSP and held discussions on various development works carried out by the plant authorities.

He will later address a public rally to be attended by Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, among others.

The Rs. 12,000 crore project has more than doubled the plant's capacity to 4.5 million tonnes per annum from 2 mtpa, Tomar said.

He said SAIL would produce 50 mtpa steel by 2025 under its expansion plans while the overall production by that year would be 300 mtpa.

The minister said there would be no hiccups in linking raw material to the industry after the amended MMDR Act was passed to auction mines in the country.

He said Odisha would benefit from the auction of coal and other minerals.