Dalmia Cement is in advanced stages of commissioning its new cement plant at in north Karnataka, as the company plans to lift capacity to 19Mta.

The new 2.5Mta cement works in Yadawad, near Belgaum, will be commissioned by February next year and forms part of the Damia Bharat Group’s plan to expand its presence in the north. "Three years ago, we were considered as predominantly south-based cement maker. But, we have added a plant in northeast and eastern India in the last couple of years. We are in the process of commissioning new plant in Belgaum, which will cater to markets in Maharashtra and Goa,” Vipin Agarwal, chief executive officer of Dalmia Cement told Business Standard of India.

He further added that the company is eying opportunities in central and northern India with new plants being considered in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. "Our next plan is to increase our capacity by another 3Mt to take the total capacity to 21Mt in the next financial year," Mr Agarwal said.?? The company also plans to set up its second plant in Karnataka at Gulbarga in north Karnataka with a capacity of 2.5Mta.