Centre orders withdrawal of CISF wings from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by November 17
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered the withdrawal of the Central Industrial Security Force from the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by November 17, 2026. The move will affect over 1,300 personnel across security and fire wings, raising concerns about the future security architecture of the facility.
Why it matters
This decision marks a significant shift in the security management of a major public sector infrastructure asset, potentially impacting operational stability.
In a major development concerning critical public sector infrastructure, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is said to have accorded approval for the complete withdrawal of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).
According to official communications issued by the CISF Directorate General in New Delhi, the pullback will affect 1,329 sanctioned posts, comprising 1,033 personnel from the security wing and 298 from the fire wing. The directive, enacted following MHA clearance on August 18, 2026, invokes Section 14(2) of the CISF Act and sets a strict three-month notice period, fixing the final pull-out deadline at November 17, 2026.
The Central directive instructs the force’s South Sector headquarters in Chennai and local unit commandants to ensure the recovery of all pending financial dues from the plant management before the exit.
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