Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has issued a stern warning to the public, builders, and contractors against a surge of counterfeit and sub-standard TMT rebars being sold in the market under the trusted brand name ‘Vizag TMT’.

The management flagged that unscrupulous elements are actively deploying deceptive packaging and false claims to market low-grade steel. Officials cautioned that these duplicate products fail to meet Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms, posing severe risks to the structural integrity, strength, and safety of residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.

To combat the menace, RINL urges consumers to exercise strict caution and purchase exclusively genuine products.

“Every authentic Vizag TMT rebar features distinct brand markings. Buyers seeking to verify authenticity or source products directly are advised to connect with their nearest RINL branch or marketing office, details of which are hosted on the official website, www.vizagsteel.com” a RINL official statement said.

Weighing in on the development, prominent trade union leader J. Ayodhya Ramu strongly condemned the circulation of fake materials, emphasising that such fraudulent practices damage the hard-earned reputation of the plant and endanger public safety.

“At a time when the workforce is striving hard to safeguard the plant’ endogenous legacy and operational stability, fraudulent elements are exploiting the goodwill of Vizag TMT for unlawful profits,” Ayodhya Ramu stated.

Demanding stringent administrative and legal action against the racketeers, he appealed to consumers and construction agencies to report spurious traders immediately, ensuring that public infrastructure relies solely on uncompromised, top-tier steel produced by the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Published - August 02, 2026 01:59 pm IST