KARACHI: The demand for long and flat steel products for reconstruction activities in the quake affected areas is going to be colossal because these are needed not only to provide shelters for millions of people but also for the development of the communication infrastructure, including roads, bridges and culverts.

“The exact requirement will be worked out after earthquake-proof design requirements are finalized by the Reconstruction Authority,” says Pakistan Steel Chairman, Lt-Gen (retd) Abdul Qayuum.

He believes that since reconstruction will be spread over a period of three to five years, Pakistan Steel can easily manage to meet most of the demand.

Asked as to what kind of reconstruction activity he expected in the quake areas both for the short- and the long-term, he said galvanized corrugated sheets of 0.55 to 0.70mm thickness would be required for temporary construction on a short-term basis. This item was previously not manufactured at Pakistan Steel. But in view of the urgency of the situation, PS has not only designed and installed its own machines but also manufactured 200,000 sheets and supplied these to army engineers and different NGOs on short notice.

“We will, however, need stronger corrugated sheets of 0.7 to 0.95mm thickness along with steel columns, angle irons and other cold formed accessories which PS can manufacture for the construction of permanent earthquake proof accommodation on a long-term basis,”, Gen Qayuum says.

On a query regarding suggestions given by PS to the government relating to reconstruction and rehabilitation activities, the chairman pointed out that he had briefed the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) about the kind of help PS was extending and what more could be done in the form of construction of pre-fabricated steel houses and provision of cold formed corrugated sheets and other materials.

Pakistan Steel has so far donated over 100,000 corrugated sheets and some cash cheques total amounting to Rs100 million. Pakistan Steel has the capability to manufacture 15-20,000 sheets a day.

Consumption of steel in Pakistan is approximately 4.5 million tons per year. This comes to about 28kg per head per annum. This is almost the lowest ration in the world. The world average consumption is 165kg per capita while the developed countries consume over 400kg per head per year.

With a likely upsurge in the housing industry due to the rehabilitation needs of the earthquake affected areas, consumption is expected to go up, Gen Qayuum says, Pakistan Steel is at present meeting only 25 per cent of domestic needs while remaining requirement is met through scrap melting, shipbreaking, smuggling and imports.— ASK