Green signal for Jaypee cement plant in Himachal

The Baga Bhalag cement plant, some 60 km from here, has a 2-million-tonne annual capacity and will be the second cement plant in limestone rich Solan district. Gujarat Ambuja Ltd already has a thriving plant in the neighbourhood.

Over a year ago, the state government had allotted the Rs 600-crore Baga Bhalag cement plant to Jaiprakash (Jaypee) Industries associates, but the crucial green clearance was awaited from the Central government.

The mining lease of limestone over an area of 332 hectares has already been granted by the state government to Jaypee industries.

"As we have got the environment clearance now, the plant will come into operation by December next year," said Rikhi Sharma, a JP industries official.

"Some 20,000 persons will get direct and indirect employment by the setting up of this plant," he said.

"We will use the latest electrostatic precipitator and glass bag house techniques so that minimal environment damage takes place in the hills," he said.

Experts have identified 1,000 million tonnes of cement grade limestone deposits in and around Baga Bhalag and of this 280 million tonnes have been confirmed by drilling deep into the earth's surface.

Earlier this month, the state government allotted another cement plant in Chopal in Shimla district to India Cements.

The south India based company (India Cements) will set up the Chopal cement plant at a cost of Rs 750 crore.