India: panel discusses Khrew cement plant modernisation

The Committee on Public Undertakings of the Legislative Assembly met to discuss a modernisation project for the upgrade of Jammu and Kashmir Cements Ltd's Khrew cement plant.

The committee held discussions regarding the finances and working results, non-finalisation of annual accounts, manufacturing process and operational performance, production performance of the Khrew cement factory, mining of limestone and the performance of new cement plants and old cement plants working in the state.

The upgrade would see retrofitting of the existng kilns and the addition of a precalciner, modern clinker coolers as well as new kiln drives ID fans and motors. The cost is estimated at INR3000m (US$442m).

The Khrew plant was established in 1981 with a cement capacity of 600tpd. In 2006 the works' capacity was doubled to 1200tpd when Promac Engineering added a second 600tpd line.

A grinding plant of 300tpd is also being established by the company at Jammu in Samba Industrial Growth Centre of SIDCO. This facility will take surplus clinker from the Khrew plant. The company is a fully government-owned facility that supplies cement for government departments and private projects.