The Nagaland regional government in India will soon set up a Rs 470-crore cement plant having an annual production capacity of 1Mt, with an aim to exporting cement to neighbouring Myanmar. General Manager (Projects) Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation R Angami, who is participating in the ongoing four-day North East Trade Expo (NEXPO), told UNI that the proposed plant would be the biggest of its kind in the North East and the state was expecting to earn revenues from the exports.

’’We have already completed the feasibility report and the detailed project report is being prepared,’’ he said, adding that private entrepreneurs will be invited to establish the plant. ’’Lafarge, one of biggest manufacturers of cement, is interested to set up the factory. But the final decision would be taken only after the project report is ready,’’ he said, pointing out that once completed, it will be biggest heavy industry in Nagaland.  ’’The plant will be set up in Phek district of Nagaland bordering Myanmar, which has substantial limestone deposits,’’ Mr Angami said. Phek along with Tuensang district, which also borders Myanmar, has 100 million proven reserves of limestone and 1,000 million inferred reserves of limestone. Nagaland’s only cement plant also in Phek district produces 50tpd of cement. It would soon be upgraded to produce 150tpd.