Question : PROCUREMENT OF CEMENT FOR ROAD PROJECTS

(a) whether the Government has invited bids from the cement companies for large-scale cement procurement at the cheapest possible price for infrastructure projects;

(b) if so, the details and terms of the bids floated;

(c) whether the Ministry intends to build all new roads using indigenously/manufactured cement and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the cement companies have offered to supply cement at Rs. 160 per bag of 50 kg against the current market price of Rs. 300-500; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) Yes Madam. The bids have been invited by the Ministry for the rates of cement from the cement manufacturers in the country for supply of cement, on cash and carry basis, to all Central Government/ State Government organizations ` including Government owned organizations for undertaking National Highway projects and other Centrally sponsored projects.

(b) The details are at Annexure-I.

(c) Considering the issues related to environment, longer service life, fuel consumption, saving of natural resources, resistance to extreme weather conditions and lesser maintenance costs, etc. the Ministry has decided that the cement concrete pavement could be the default mode of construction on National Highways.

(d) & (e) The details of the rates of different grades of cement are at Annexure-II.