Cement bag to cost Rs 10 more in Himachal

Tribune News Service

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Solan, August 24

The price of cement has increased by Rs 10 per bag in Himachal and another hike of Rs 15 per bag is on the anvil. A cement bag will now cost between Rs 430 and Rs 530, depending on the distance of place where it will be transported from the manufacturing hub of Darlaghat in Solan district.

This is the first hike implemented by various cement companies this year after reducing the price in April by about Rs 5 per bag for the bordering areas of Solan distrct where the transportation cost is relatively less. This was also done as the price of cement in the neighbouring states is comparatively less.

The cement price has risen by Rs 30 per bag since last year, which was effected in three installments.

An official of a key manufacturing plant at Darlaghat said, “Since no hike was announced this year, the cement price rise was on the expected lines. The cement rate is usually increased after the monsoon when construction activity reduces drastically. There will be another price hike soon.”

The price hike will further widen the gap in cement prices vis-a-vis the neighbouring states where it is sold at cheaper rates. There are several cement manufacturing companies in the state, its prices in Himachal continue to be higher by Rs 40 to Rs 50.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has not been able to keep his election promise of ensuring cheaper cement for the residents of Arki. Arki subdivision is a hub of cement manufacturing where the plants of the Adani group and Ultra Tech are housed.

With construction activity registering a boom, the increase in the cement price will hit the budgets of the ongoing construction projects. Several big housing and tourism projects are underway in various parts of Solan district like Kasauli, Dharampur, Chail, Solan, Kandaghat, etc.

The recurring hike in cement prices will also hit the Central Government’s move of providing affordable housing to the low income group people. Residents, who are constructing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana with Rs 1.3 lakh financial assistance, will bear the brunt of the price hike.

The state government has not convened any meetings with the cement companies since last year to deliberate on providing cement at lower rates though the Congress while in the opposition had aggressively raised the issue.

Price Rs 40-Rs 50 higher than in Punjab, Haryana

• A cement bag will now cost between ~430 and ~530, depending on the distance from the manufacturing hub of Darlaghat in Solan district
• Despite being a cement-manufacturing state, the price in Himachal continues to be higher by ~40 to ~50 as compared to neighbouring states
• Cement price has risen by ~30 per bag since last year in three instalments; the only exception being the reduction in April in areas near Solan