SICMA urges centre to provide telescopic railway freight service

The South India Cement Manufacturers' Association (SICMA) has urged the Centre to provide telescopic railway freight service to facilitate the movement of cement from surplus states to deficit regions. South India has 180 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) capacity, which accounts for 40% of India's cement production and 35-40% of limestone was also found in the southern part of India. SICMA said that in a few years, commodities would be fewer in the North, East and Central India while a huge surplus in South India. The Association requested the government to facilitate movement from the surplus Southern states to deficit regions through telescopic railway freight service. President of SICMA, N Srinivasan, highlighted that the ministry imposes a higher duty for imports of clinker and cement, and South India has excess capacity of limestone. Cement manufacturers cannot export to neighbouring countries due to the anti-dumping duties imposed on cement imported from India, while India provides free access to the domestic market for cement from other countries. He urged the Ministry of Finance to impose a higher duty for the import of clinker and cement. Image Source