Question.
Where would it be economically viable to set up the cement manufacturing units?
( Chapter - 6 Manufacturing Industries, Cass X NCERT Contemporary India -II )
Answer.
The cement industry comes under the heavy industry group as it requires bulky and heavy raw materials like limestone, silica, and gypsum. Near the sources of raw materials, the region would be economically viable to set up cement manufacturing units. Most of the cement industries in India is located near limestone and silica region.
For example,
Most of the cement industries of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are located near the Arawali range and central hilly areas.
Most of the cement industries of Uttar Pradesh are located in Mirzapur and Sonbhadra districts as they are rich in limestone minerals.
Cement industries also use oceanic shelves as raw materials and many industries are preferred near the coast. Many cement industries are located in the coastal cities of Dwaraka( Gujarat), Thiruvantarnpuram ( Kerala), and Chennai ( Tamil Nadu).
However, apart from non-metallic raw minerals like limestone, the cement industry also requires coal and electric power for processing. It also affects the location of cement industries.
As we know, all the raw materials like limestone, silica, gypsum, and coal; and the market are not available in one place, and they are also preferred near fast transportation lines, most suitably railways lines, and ports.
The cement industry requires railways transportation for the movement of raw materials and finished goods.
There is a great demand for cement in the gulf countries and South East Asian countries, which is why it is also preferred near the port. For example, Gujarat has strategically located cement plants that export cement to gulf countries.
The cement industry is also a polluting industry as the dust of cement pollutes the air, water, and land. So, it is preferred to the region with low population density.
So we can say, the availability of raw materials, market accessibility, and transportation line(ports and railways) are major deciding factors for the economic viability to set up cement manufacturing units.
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