"JSW and Vedanta to Invest Rs. 10,000 Crore in Punjab Cement Plants"

Significant investments by JSW Group and Vedanta for the establishment of cement plants in Punjab are currently pending approval from the state government, as per sources with knowledge of the matter. The Vedanta Group's subsidiary, Talwandi Sabo Power Plant (TSPL), has outlined plans to establish cement manufacturing facilities in Punjab, with a combined investment of approximately Rs. 10,000 crore.

TSPL intends to set up multiple cement plants adjacent to its existing power plant in the Mansa district of Punjab, with one of these plants to be established by the JSW Group. The fly ash generated by TSPL's power plant will be utilized in cement production.

Despite the potential to create over 2,000 job opportunities in Punjab, the cement project is currently awaiting approvals from various state government departments, sources reported.

According to these sources, TSPL's proposal has been awaiting clearance from the Punjab Government's office of the Chief Town Planner and Director of Factories for the past 18 months, despite assurances made at the Invest Punjab Summit in February 2023.

Recently, TSPL, a prominent power producer in Punjab, sought the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to expedite the approval process.

TSPL operates a 1,980 MW thermal power plant in the Mansa district of Punjab and aims to environmentally produce cement using the fly ash generated by the power plant. The company is specifically seeking a change in land usage for a Cement Grinding Unit.

Sources pointed out that the project's delay is primarily due to the lack of approval for the change in land use.

This ambitious project represents one of the largest investments in Punjab's history, offering substantial benefits to the local community. The cement grinding unit not only provides an eco-friendly solution for managing power plant ash but also promises a significant injection of capital into the region.

In a state where employment opportunities are often limited, the project's potential to employ 2,000 individuals is of great significance. However, continuous delays may lead investors to seek opportunities in more favorable states.

ET