Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 15, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
Cement prices are now Rs.250 per bag Steel is Rs.45,000 a tonne now KARUR: The unprecedented and steep hike in the price of construction materials, including steel and cement, in the recent weeks has thrown into disarray building plans and schedules in the district. Construction engineers claim that the inflation in prices could result in a loss of up to 30 per cent activity. Sources say the price of cement, which was Rs.145 a bag in 2006, has skyrocketed to Rs.250 a bag now, while the price of steel that was Rs.26,000 per tonne in 2006 has zoomed to Rs.45,000 a tonne. Blue metal varieties on an average sold at Rs.1,100 per unit (100 cubic feet) then and they have reached Rs.2,000 per unit now. Even bricks that cost Rs.1.50 a block about two years have increased to Rs.3.25 per brick. All factors have applied brake on the industry fortunes in the district. Most affected are the lower middle-income group and the middle class that have been longing for years for a home of their own. The constant upward revision in prices of steel and cement, on a fortnightly basis, has put the engineers in a spot, as they cannot adhere to their estimates, Karur District Civil Engineers’ Association president N. Ramanathan said. “At least Rs.150-crore worth projects in the housing and building sectors are being undertaken in the district annually over the last few years. But we expect that there could be a 30 per cent slump in the number of projects during the next financial if the trend in price fluctuation holds.” The government should immediately intervene to rescue those undertaking small and medium budget housing and building projects. One important step is to end export of cement and steel, some engineers say. The government should bring cement and steel under essential materials list to protect the industry that was once steadily progressing. A cross-section of the public has already felt the pinch of buying State-sold cement. Government cement sale has not picked up because there is not much difference in the prices. Whatever the difference, loading, transportation and unloading costs will bridge the gap, they feel. Labour shortage, increase in cost of manpower, lack of technically qualified persons and escalating land cost has also added to the construction industry’ woes.
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