The report released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion under the Ministry on Monday said the production of cement during the year 2006-07 is estimated at 162 million tonnes.

Cement production during the year 2006-07 (April to December, 2006) has been 117.37 million tonnes registering a growth of 9.87 per cent over the corresponding period of 2005-06.

India exported 6.07 million tonnes of cement and clinker during April-December 2006.

The cement industry in India comprises 129 large cement plants with an installed capacity of 165.10 million tones and more than 206 operating mini cement plants with an estimated capacity of 11.10 million tonnes per annum, making a total installed capacity on 176.20 million tonnes.

There are few large cement plants owned by the central and the state government. The report suggested that the cement demand is likely to grow at 11.5 per cent per annum during the 11th Plan.

Cement production and capacity by the end of the 11th plan are estimated to be 269 million tonnes and 298 million tonnes, respectively, with the capacity utilization of 90 per cent. To attain the targeted capacity addition, an investment of Rs 52,400 crore (Rs 524 billion) would be required during the 11th plan, the report added.