The growth of Indian cement output has slowed in March to 13 per cent, compared to 23 per cent of the previous month. However, the cement sector was one of the principal performers throughout FY18, according to Aditi Nayar, principal economist at ICRA.

"Cement output expanded by a five-year high [of] 6.3 per cent in FY18, marking a turnaround relative to the contraction of 1.2 per cent in FY17. Moreover, cement was the fastest growing of the eight core sectors in FY18. Increased budgetary support for affordable housing, rural economy and infrastructure are expected to support cement demand in FY19," she said.

New plant
A long-awaited cement plant in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, will be commissioned before October this year, according to Shanta Kumar of the BJP.

"The government has been decided that a cement plant would be inaugurated before October this year," said Mr Kumar.

The MP had stated during his campaign that a cement plant would be the only solution to eradicate poverty and unemployment in the district, according to The Times of India.