BS reported that Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited has commenced commercial production at its 2.5 million tonne capacity Greenfield cement plant at Chinnakomerla village in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

As per report, it has invested about INR 800 crore in the plant, which also includes the 1,500 acre land at INR 1.5 million an acre. The project has been funded by a mix of internal accruals and debt.

Mr T Venkatesan CEO (cement) said that the project was completed in 22 months and would add to its current installed capacity of 3.5 million tonne at Dalmiapuram in Tamil Nadu. The new plant would produce ordinary portland and portland pozzolana cement varieties. It would cater to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka markets.

Mr Venkatesan said that a second Greenfield project of 2.5 million tonne was on the anvil at Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu. With this, Dalmia’s overall capacity would be 8 million tonne per annum.

He said that the company is also looking to set up 3 more plants and is scouting for land with limestone deposits in Karnataka, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. On an average, each plant would be set up on 1,000 acre to 1,500 acre and involve a total investment of about INR 2,200 crore.

(Sourced from Business Standard)