Bhubaneswar: The union steel minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, Thursday said that Odisha would be the steel hub of the country.

Pradhan, who was on his first visit to the state after assuming the charge of steel ministry along with petroleum, said that India is world’s second biggest steel producer. The growth of steel sector in the country is as high as 6 to 8%, he added.

Stating that development of seel sector can not be though of without Odisha, he said that the state should take advantage of it. The minister added that endeavour would be made to develop Odisha as the steel captial of the country with the support of the state government with an aim to create jobs for youth and revenue of the government.

Pradhan along with his colleague Pratap Sarangi, who has taken over as minister of state for MSME and animal husbandry in Modi ministry was given a rousing welcome in the state.