The Indian steel market, which was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, has started showing signs of recovery, RINL Chairman P K Rath has said. The pandemic had severely disrupted the steel sector in the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal, particularly in April. However, there is a recovery visible in the market with pick up in demand, Rath said. “As the process of unlocking started from June onwards in a phased manner, activities in construction and various projects have picked up and the demand in the domestic steel market has surged. Further with the ensuing festive season the demand for white goods and auto-sector will also further spur the steel market,” Rath told in an interview. Besides, the government initiative on multimodal infrastructure projects like Bharatmala, Sagarmala and Dedicated Freight Corridors in the logistic sector will also help the steel industry.