State Defends Cement Land Deal in High Court

08 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Assam government informed the Gauhati High Court that it had adhered to the due process of law while leasing 3,000 bighas of land to Mahabal Cement for the establishment of an integrated cement plant in Dima Hasao district.

Appearing before the court, State Advocate General Devajit Saikia clarified that construction activities would only begin after obtaining clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests as well as the Pollution Control Board. He presented a report from a government-appointed three-member committee which assessed the allotment’s legality, land suitability, and environmental implications.

According to Saikia, Mahabal Cement, a unit under the Trivikram Consortium, had requested 6,000 bighas of land but was allotted 3,000 bighas in two phases by the autonomous district council. The land has been leased for 30 years at an annual rate of Rs 250 per bigha, along with a one-time land premium of Rs 2 million per bigha.

Of the total land granted, approximately 1,782 bighas are usable for the cement plant and supporting infrastructure such as roads, railway sidings, environmental facilities, a solar plant, parking, residential quarters, and 554 bighas of vacant open space. Saikia emphasised that 34 per cent of the total land must be retained as green cover in compliance with environmental regulations.

He further stated that the autonomous council is empowered to allot land in this Sixth Schedule area and that the state’s Ceiling Act does not apply. He assured the court that final approval for the project rests with central regulatory agencies, and no machinery will be mobilised until all necessary permissions are secured.

The High Court has directed the petitioners to respond to the government’s affidavit in the matter.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..