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.

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