| According to the data available, 100,534 metric tonnes of cement (September 2007-February 2008) were imported from Pakistan. However, it did not affected the local prices adversely as anticipated. |
| Meanwhile, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has granted quality licences to about eight cement companies in Pakistan after the government relaxed cement import norms in September last year and allowed import through rail and sea route. The first consignment reached by train through Attari station in September last year carrying 480 metric tonnes of cement. |
| Talking to Business Standard, Narain Exim Corporation president Rajinder Singh Uppal said, "The average price of cement that is imported through the rail route is about Rs 165-170 a bag of 50kg. However, the price is not stable because of the fluctuating dollar." He added this was cheaper compared to Rs 235-250 a 50-kg bag of cement manufactured in India. |
| Seeing the potential, the Ministry of Commerce is contemplating to allow import of cement from Pakistan by road. However, the infrastructure at Wagah (Amritsar) is a constraint. |
| Sources disclosed that the present infrastructutre at Wagah was not enough to handle import of cement by road. |
| Large scanners were needed so that the entire truck could be scanned. |
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