Eastern, Western Inidan regions drive up cement offtake

Cement consumption has gone up by 13.8 per cent in the eastern region of India during the first half of 2005-06. In the western region it has increased by 10 per cent. Cement consumption has declined by 2.5 per cent in the southern region due to delays in the Government projects. Production of cement has increased by 6.8 per cent and despatches have gone up by 6.7 per cent during the period. Domestic cement consumption has increased by 6.3 per cent to 120Mt.