New Delhi, May 23: Cement production increased by an impressive 16.87 per cent in April 2004 to 10.6 million tonne as against 9.07 million tonne recorded in April 2003. Despatches also recorded 15.85 per cent growth to 10.45 mt in April 2004 from 9.02 mt in the same month of previous year, according to cement manufacturers' association's latest updates.

The impressive growth in both output and despatches was the result of higher consumption growth in Uttaranchal, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Delhi and Kerala. Uttaranchal recorded 20 per cent, the highest, growth in consumption till March 2004, followed by Karnataka and Jharkhand at 15 per cent, Delhi (14 per cent) and Kerala (10 per cent).

"The rise in cement consumption in these states indicates pick-up in overall construction activities after the last quarter of 2003-04," an industry expert said. However, production in April was 5.86 per lower than 11.26 mt output recorded in March 2004 while the despatches during the month in question declined 7.69 per cent from 11.32 mt in the previous month.
Cement exports showed 33.33 per cent growth in April 2004 as compared to the same month of the previous year, whereas clinker export recorded a two per cent negative growth. The industry capacity increased by 1.3 mt to 147.68 mt by the end of April 2004 from 146.38 mt on March 31, 2004.
The capacity utilisation for the domestic cement industry stood at 86 per cent last month.
Bureau Report