Cement production needs to double in 11th Plan: Assocham

An Assocham survey has projected that the cement industry will need to double its current cement manufacturing capacity in the 11th Plan period to meet the demand of growing infrastructure sector.

"With infrastructure sector including roads, ports, airports, housing and construction driving growth, India would need to double its cement manufacturing capacity to over 320 million tonnes in the 11th Plan period," Assocham Eco Pulse (AEP) survey said.

The demand for cement would grow by about 15 per cent per annum even if half of the projected $350 billion investment in infrastructure is made, the survey said.

The survey stated that the present capacity of 165 million tonnes is expected to go up by 100 million tonnes in next five years with major industry players taking up capacity expansion.