The iron and steel plants of Rourkela and Durgapur were conceived under the Second Five Year Plan (1956-1961). The Second Five Year Plan was a major turning point in the history of India's economic development. It was during this plan that the government of India made a concerted effort to industrialize the country.

The decision to build the Rourkela and Durgapur steel plants was part of this larger effort to industrialize India. The government believed that these two plants would be essential for the country's economic development. They would provide the raw materials needed for other industries, such as automobiles, shipbuilding, and construction. They would also create jobs and boost economic growth.

The Rourkela Steel Plant was built with the help of West German industrial corporations. The Durgapur Steel Plant was built with the help of a consortium led by British firms. Both plants were completed in the early 1960s.

The Rourkela and Durgapur steel plants have played a major role in India's economic development. They have provided the raw materials needed for other industries, created jobs, and boosted economic growth. They have also helped to make India self-sufficient in steel production.

In addition to the Rourkela and Durgapur steel plants, several other steel plants were built during the Second Five Year Plan. These included the Bhilai Steel Plant in Madhya Pradesh, the Salem Steel Plant in Tamil Nadu, and the Vijayanagar Steel Plant in Karnataka.

The construction of these steel plants was a major achievement for the government of India. It showed that India was committed to industrializing the country and that it was capable of undertaking large-scale projects. The steel plants have also had a significant impact on the lives of millions of Indians. They have provided jobs, boosted economic growth, and helped to make India a more self-sufficient country.

Here are some additional details about the Rourkela and Durgapur steel plants:

• The Rourkela Steel Plant is located in the state of Odisha. It is the largest steel plant in India in terms of production capacity.
• The Durgapur Steel Plant is located in the state of West Bengal. It is the second largest steel plant in India in terms of production capacity.
• Both plants have a combined production capacity of over 20 million tonnes of steel per year.
• The plants produce a variety of steel products, including billets, blooms, slabs, and finished steel.
• The plants employ over 100,000 people.
• The plants have a significant economic impact on the surrounding areas.

The Rourkela and Durgapur steel plants are an important part of India's industrial infrastructure. They have played a major role in the country's economic development and have helped to make India a more self-sufficient country.