Zuari Cement through its subsidiary Gulbarga Cement Limited (GCL) to set up a 3.23 million tonnes (MT) cement plant in Gulbarga, Karnataka. The company would also set up a 50-MW captive power plant along with the cement plant.
 
The cement project is located 28 km away from Gulbarga city on the Gulbarga-Bangalore highway and foresees a capacity of 2 MT clinker and 3.23 MT cement per annum.
 
 “The unit is designed to double its capacity as part of the future plans to cater the growing demand in the northern segment of Karnataka and also the adjoining state of Maharashtra, addressing the requirements of one of the largest cement consumption centre in the country. This unit will be strategically a very important investment for Italcementi in India,” the company said issuing a statement.
 
Gulbarga Cement is in possession of 1,821 acres of land; GCL has received approval for the same from The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) on 3rd September. “After the foundation stone laying ceremony, the first step of the project will be the start of the mining activity, the statement adds.
 
The foundation stone to the new plant was laid on September 30, by Francis along with Ramesh Suryanarayana, Director Business Development; accompanied by the local employees of Gulbarga Cement headed by Surendra Pattar, Site Manager, other senior executives of Zuari Cement, government officials and the farmers, who had given land to the company.
 “After the completion of the project Zuari Cement will encompass a total capacity of 10 MT, growing to be one amongst the largest cement manufacturers in southern India. The additional capacity expansion will strengthen our presence and cater to our market expansion plans in southern, western and the north east markets,” the company forecasts.