The stainless steel industry in India is exploring opportunities with large infrastructure and mega construction projects to increase stainless steel consumption in the country. 

At an industry event in Gandhinagar on Saturday, the Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel encouraged the stainless steel manufacturers to increase the use of stainless steel for beautification of civic projects like Sabarmati River Front project in Ahmedabad.

"The new industrial policy of the state will help small and medium stainless steel units to develop skills and eco-friendly products. The local authorities and Gujarat Government will provide full support for these projects," said Patel at the inauguration of the Global Stainless Steel Expo Indinox 2015 at Mahatma Mandir.

The Chief Minister, along with Union Minister for Steel and Mines, Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the four-day exhibition. 

The Union Minister urged the stainless steel industry to increase production and generate jobs, as the government would provide assistance by removing hurdles that include halting the increasing imports from China. 

The industry, on the other hand has identified huge opportunity for stainless steel consumption in mega projects like 'Statue of Unity' - Sardar Patel's tallest statue in the world.

“Statue of Unity is presently being designed to last for about 100 years. While worldwide such projects are being designed to withstand the ravages of 1,000 years. It is the stainless steel which can provide the lasting solution," said Austin Lu, Asia Pacific head of Outokumpu, the World’s largest stainless steel player.

Gujarat is erecting a 182-metre tall Sardar Patel's statue, tallest in the world in the island in Narmada river near Sardar Sarovar Dam.

According to industry estimates, stainless steel consumption in India is much less than what is seen in other developed nations. Against India's per-capita stainless steel consumption of 1.6 kg per annum, Europe has an average per-capita stainless steel consumption of about 10 kg while China consumes about 6 kg. Taiwan has one of the highest stainless steel consumption of about 15 kg.

Industry players further claimed that stainless steel would provide a maintenance-free life to such monument projects. "It means lots of savings by reducing the ongoing repair and maintenance costs of such structures," said Yatinder Pal Singh Suri, India head of Outokumpu.