The steel plant located in Orissa started showing positive trends after October 1999. While in Setember 1999 it recorded an operational loss of Rs 35 crore, it made an operating profit of Rs 8 crore in January 2000 and Rs 11.86 crore in February.

According to an RSP press release, it achieved a growth of five per cent in the production of saleable steel in 1999-2000 compared to production in the previous fiscal. Its thrust on value-added products was reflected in 76 per cent growth in the production of hot rolled coils for sales, 18 per cent in tin plates, nine per cent in CRNO, eight per cent in HR coils (total) and five per cent in cold rolled sheets and coils.

RSP also recorded a growth of 18 per cent in the production of saleable steel during March 2000 compared to last year. Production of HR coils for sale, HR coils (total), CRNO and galvanised sheets went up by 134 per cent, 10 per cent, 10 per cent and seven per cent respectively during the same period.