Source - CNBC-TV18

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Mr Ashish Guha MD and CEO of Heidelberg Cement India said, the company plans a significant hike in prices post the monsoons.

Cement prices are expected to recover after the monsoon ends due to a likely pick up in construction activity. Sales during the wet season have also been hit on account of rising input costs.

Most of the cement companies were unable to pass on the price hike to its customers. The dispatches in South India also suffered due to trucker's strike.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Mr Ashish Guha MD and CEO of Heidelberg Cement India said, the company plans a significant hike in prices post the monsoons. He said that "We have been trying to increase our prices because of the cost increase but have not been able to do so adding that high raw material costs, price correction hurting margins."

Below is the edited transcript of the interview.

Q - What are your thoughts on the cement prices and do you see some sort of elevation in prices post the monsoon season?

A - Every year, cement prices increase post monsoon. This year we have been hampered by a few issues. Our costs have been rising up exponentially over the past few months and we have not been able to pass on the rise in cost to the customers.

We expect prices to rise significantly over the next few months. We have been trying to increase our prices because of the cost increase but have not been able to do so in a manner, which would help us offset the cost price. However, we are looking at all the options to raise prices.