Cement on trade list between J

Srinagar, Sept 1: Cement is one of the items approved for trade between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok) through the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, which will boost the state's economy and raise its GDP, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here.

Chairing a high-level meeting, he said creation of infrastructure and reconstruction, execution of works in double and triple shifts, launching of Bharat Nirman projects for road network, implementation of Prime Minister's reconstruction plan, works under NURAM and other central and state projects would help in the overall development of the state.

The meeting was also informed that superior quality limestone and gypsum were available in abundance in the state.

Mr Azad said private entrepreneurs should be persuaded to establish their mega cement plants in the state keeping in view the need and capability on the basis of rich limestone deposits to export it to other places.

He also emphasised that Kalakote coal deposits, on which the work had been abandoned, should be fully revitalised so that power project established in the area was made functional again.

The meeting was informed that cement requirement per month will reach 2.25 lakh tonnes as a result of launching of massive development projects and completion of ongoing projects in the state, while the present production capacity was only 50 to 60 tonnes.

''Therefore, there is a huge potential to fill-up the production gap with full exploration of mineral deposits,'' Mr Azad said.

UNI

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