Where Was The First Cement Plant Set Up In India?
The first large-scale cement manufacturing in India started in 1914 when India Cement Company started manufacturing in Porbandar Gujrat.
But before that, South India Industrial Ltd. started cement manufacturing in 1904 in Madras (now Chennai).
Let’s Discuss A Brief History Of The Indian Cement Industry
When India Cement Company started, it produced only one type of cement, which the British Standard Committee designed as “Artificial Portland Cement.” This company markets and sells its products in Mumbai, Karachi, Madras, and other parts of the Country.
The companies showed their interest in Cement manufacturing because, at that time, the cement in India was imported from England. Demand was high, the price of imported cement was high, reduction in cement supply due to the war and some other factors boosted Indian Cement Manufacturing. And with the support of govt in just a short period of time, the Indian Cement Industry has become the leading Industry in India.
- In 1915 a Cement Manufacturing plant started in Katni, Madhya Pradesh.
- In 1916 another unit was established at Lakheri, Rajasthan.
During the first world war, the production of all these three major units was controlled by govt. After the war, control was lifted. After the war, seven more major cement manufacturing units started in India. The total output of all units has been increased to 5.59 Lac tons.
By 1934, In India, there were 11 major cement companies, out of which ten merged into Associated Cement Co. Ltd. By the end of 1937, the Dalmia Cement Group formed and set up its Cement plant in Bihar (now Jharkhand), Tamilnadu, and Punjab. By Independence, India has over 18 major cement manufacturing plants with a whopping capacity of 22 lac tons.
Now India is the second largest cement producer in the world after China, with 140 major cement manufacturing plants and more than 300 small plants. I am sure you have heard about some cement manufacturing companies mentioned below.
- ACC
- Ambuja Cements Ltd
- Ultra Tech Cement Ltd
- India Cement Ltd
- Shree Cement Ltd
- Dalmia Cement Ltd
- Prism Cement Ltd
- Madras Cement Ltd
- Birla Cement Ltd
- JK Cement Ltd.
Let’s Look At How The Indian Cement Industry Contributes To The Development Of The Country?
Indian Cement Industry is one of the Country’s fastest growing industries, with an annual growth of 8 to 10%. The increased consumption of cement indicates the economic growth of the Country. The critical consumer industries of cement are the real estate sector, industry expansion projects, and domestic and Country infrastructure development. Infrastructure projects help in the development of the Country. Road and rail transportation is the Most Important mode of transportation in India. Cement plays a critical role in these kinds of developmental projects. In recent years though, there has been an economic slowdown due to the pandemic cement industry has seen sustained growth.
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