One of India’s leading cement manufacturers, Andhra Cements, has planned to increase its manufacturing Phase I capacity from the current 1.7Mta to 3.0Mta. The estimated cost for the expansion is likely to be Rs 100 crore, to be financed through debt and internal accrual. No price hike in cement is expected till the end of this year. Current prices for a bag of cement hovers around Rs 160-165  per bag. The company is also looking to increase exports to 40,000t per month.  Firming up expansion plans will be done before the end of 2006. The new expanded facility with enhanced output will be operational in FY08.