Concrete

Centre Proposes Clearance Exemption For Cement Grinding Units

Move may aid Adani’s Rs 14 billion Kalyan cement project approval.

Published

12 months ago

October 9, 2025

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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed to exempt standalone cement grinding units without captive power plants from the requirement of prior environmental clearance, according to a draft notification issued on 26 September.

If approved, the move could benefit the Adani Group’s proposed Rs 14 billion (Rs 1,400 crore) 6-million-tonne-per-annum cement grinding plant in Kalyan, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The plant, belonging to Ambuja Cement Ltd, an Adani Group company, has faced strong opposition from residents of Mohone and ten surrounding villages.

At a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) public hearing last month, citizens expressed concerns over potential health hazards and environmental risks from the project, questioning how such a large-scale industrial facility could be allowed in a densely populated area.

Locals highlighted the risk of emissions including particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

However, the ministry’s draft notification proposes that standalone cement grinding units — which do not carry out high-temperature “calcination” or “clinkerisation” processes — be exempted from detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and public consultation requirements. The ministry argues that such units have a lower pollution potential compared to integrated cement plants but are still subjected to equally stringent compliance measures, resulting in disproportionate regulatory burdens.

Officials explained that these standalone facilities consume less energy and generate less waste, as they do not undertake the heating and chemical breakdown processes integral to full-scale cement manufacturing.

Furthermore, the draft encourages the use of green logistics, such as the transportation of raw materials and finished products through railways and electric vehicles. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), after detailed deliberation, recommended the exemption to promote “environmental governance and green logistics.”

Sources said the Ambuja Cement plant, located near Ambivli railway station, is likely to rely on rail transport for raw materials, aligning with the EAC’s sustainability criteria.

The public has 60 days from the date of notification to submit comments or objections. Once finalised, the amendment will form part of the 2006 EIA notification that governs environmental clearance norms.

Subhash Patil, president of the Gramastha Mandal Mohone Koliwada — a local group opposing the project — said residents were unaware of the new proposal. “I don’t think it’s a good move by the government. We’ll review the notification and decide our next steps,” he said.

An MPCB official confirmed the ministry’s draft, stating that feedback will be reviewed before the final decision is taken.

According to the project summary, the proposed plant will occupy 26.13 hectares, with 9.67 hectares reserved for green belt development and 5.49 hectares for the grinding unit, storage, and packing facilities.

The project, planned on the former National Rayon Company (NRC) site in Ambivli near Titwala, will house a 6-million-tonne-per-annum grinding capacity. The NRC facility, established in 1945, ceased operations in 2006 and was acquired by the Adani Group through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2020 after a long-standing labour dispute.

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Concrete

Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

2 days ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.

Concrete

Centre Defers Clearance for Limestone Mine Near Bustard Habitat

Panel seeks revised mining plan and safeguards for pipelines and wildlife

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Centre has deferred environmental clearance for a proposed limestone mine near a Great Indian Bustard habitat in Ramgarh, Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The critically endangered species has an estimated wild population of about 130 in India.

Concrete

Telangana to Supply Subsidised Cement for Indiramma Houses

Poor families allotted Indiramma houses to receive cement at Rs. 230 per bag

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Telangana government will supply cement at a subsidised price of Rs. 230 per 50-kg bag to poor and low-income families allotted Indiramma houses. The prevailing market price is between Rs. 310 and Rs. 320 per bag, the Assembly was informed on Thursday.