A seismic shockwave hit India’s steel fraternity on Wednesday with news of Jatinder Mehra’s demise. The industry pioneer, whose career illuminated over six decades, leaves behind a void impossible to fill in the metals and mining realm.
What set Mehra apart was his rare fusion of engineering prowess and visionary strategy, enabling him to helm mega-projects that redefined scale in Indian industry.
In his pivotal role as Essar Group’s metals and mining Vice President, Mehra crafted enduring strategies for steel growth. His oversight of Hazira expansions and leadership in Odisha’s Paradip Steel Plant propelled Essar to international prominence.
The Essar family expressed devastation in their tribute, portraying him as the visionary whose dedication scripted their success story. ‘We mourn the loss of a steel legend whose foresight anchored our greatest triumphs,’ they said, vowing to carry his legacy forward as a guiding force.
Mehra’s public sector legacy shines through roles at SAIL as Executive Director and as RINL’s Chairman-MD, where he ignited the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant into operation—a triumph that bolstered national self-reliance in steel.
Crowned with a 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Steel Association, he was the ultimate mentor, forging careers with insight, tenacity, and motivational fire.
From factory floors to corporate towers, voices unite in grief, celebrating Mehra’s life as a forge of progress. India’s steel sector bows to a master builder whose innovations will echo through future generations, fueling the nation’s industrial engine.