OCL India has announced the commissioning of its cement manufacturing unit, set up at an investment of Rs 615 crore in West Bengal.
OCL India, the flagship associate company of Dalmia Cement Bharat, has announced the commissioning of its cement manufacturing unit (Bengal Cement Works), at Godapiasal Industrial Park, West Midnapore in West Bengal. Spread over an area of 154.43 acres, the plant has been set-up at an investment of Rs 615 crore. This plant marks the initiation of the companys investment cycle in state of West Bengal. OCL India already has two cement plants at Cuttack and Rajgangpur in Orissa with a combined production capacity of 5.35 MTPA.
The plant was inaugurated by Honble Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee. She was accompanied by dignitaries like Dr Sukumar Hansda, Minister for Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs, Sandhya Roy, Member of Parliament, Paschim Medinipur; Mrigen Maity, MLA, Salboni; and Sanjay Mitra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal.
Commenting on the occasion, Puneet Dalmia, Director, OCL India said, "Bengals economy has impressively withstood the continuing slowdown in economic growth in previous years and currently is on a high growth trajectory. We want to grow in Bengal to create goodwill by benefiting both our buyers and investors. The current boost in industrialisation in the state has prompted us to replicate our success of Rajgangpur and Cuttack, in Salboni. We plan to scale up our presence in the Bengal market by completing the first phase of investment in the plant. Our high-capacity plant located strategically will ensure timely and faster delivery of cement across the state, a significant emerging market for infrastructure development and thereby the cement industry."
OCL India is one of the leading cement players in east India cement market. Eastern India contributes to around 18 per cent of Indias cement demand and 14 per cent of the total installed capacity. Cement demand growth in east India has been robust at CAGR of 9.75 per cent over FY 09-14 compared to all India growth of 6.5 per cent. Going forward, demand growth in east India is estimated to be around 8 per cent in FY15.
Good locational advantage in terms of road and rail network, enriched infrastructural support like that of uninterrupted power supply, supply of water for industrial and potable purposes, other basic facilities like sewerage and drainage, etc., and incentives available as per The West Bengal State Support for Industry scheme have played a decisive role for OCL India in setting up the plant in Bengal. DD Atal, Whole Time Director, OCL India added, "The government led by the Honble Chief Minister, has always been thoughtful to reinforce investors confidence aiming towards industrial resurgence in Bengal. OCLs involvement as an anchor investor will instil positivity among the business community, which we believe, will encourage them to come forward in attaining the betterment of industry and economy of the state."