From Our Correspondent
Jammalamadugu: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Education, IT and Human Resources Development Nara Lokesh on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the expansion of Dalmia Bharat Cement’s second manufacturing unit at Chinnakomerla village in Mylavaram mandal of Kadapa district, marking a major investment in the state’s cement sector.
Lokesh was received at the plant by Dalmia Bharat Limited Managing Director and CEO Puneet Dalmia and senior company officials. During his visit, the minister toured the company’s robotics laboratory and central control room, reviewed a photo exhibition showcasing the plant’s operations, interacted with employees and joined them for a group selfie before performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Line-2 expansion project.
Dalmia Bharat will invest ₹3,100 crore to establish a next-generation integrated cement manufacturing facility, which the company says will produce one of the world’s greenest cements. Scheduled for commissioning by the third quarter of FY2028, the project will significantly enhance the company’s manufacturing footprint in southern India.
The existing Chinnakomerla plant currently has an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of clinker and 3.6 million tonnes of cement. Upon completion of the expansion, clinker capacity will increase to 6.1 million tonnes per annum, while cement production capacity will rise to 9.6 million tonnes, making it Dalmia Bharat’s largest integrated manufacturing facility in southern India.
The expansion is expected to generate around 1,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities while also creating business prospects for local MSMEs, transporters, contractors and service providers. According to the company, the new plant will operate on more than 80 per cent renewable power and recycle all of its water, reinforcing its focus on sustainable manufacturing.
Speaking on the occasion, Lokesh said Dalmia Bharat shared the state’s vision of building a globally competitive and sustainable industrial economy. He welcomed the company’s continued investment in Andhra Pradesh, saying it would help create jobs, strengthen local communities and enhance the state’s industrial ecosystem.
Puneet Dalmia said Andhra Pradesh had become one of India’s most investment-friendly states under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, citing transparent governance, policy stability, world-class infrastructure and ease of doing business as key factors behind the company’s decision to expand its presence in the state.
Industries Minister T.G. Bharat, BC Welfare Minister S. Savitha, Jammalamadugu MLA C. Adinarayana Reddy, MLAs Reddappagari Madhavi Reddy and MLC Bhoomireddy Ramgopal Reddy, along with district officials and senior executives of Dalmia Bharat, attended the event.