Projects hit as cement prices soar

The spiralling prices of cement seem to have cast a shadow on the projects taken up by the State government. The government had asked the cement companies to supply the cement at prices fixed by it for housing schemes, the Polavaram project, etc. The companies, however, argued that the price of cement in the open market is much higher than the one being paid by the government. The officials “hinted” that price revision can be considered after the new government was formed. According to information, the State government requires about 26.50 lakh MT of cement every year. Of this, the Polavaram project, which is considered as the lifeline of Andhra Pradesh, alone requires 6.50 lakh MT per annum. The AP State Housing Corporation has taken up the housing programme in the State, and its requirement is 4.50 lakh MT. Likewise, the Panchayat Raj Department uses 12.50 lakh MT for construction of CC roads, buildings, bridges, etc. Another 3 lakh MT is needed for the AP Medical Infrastructure Development Corporation for infrastructure works for a period of two years.