Cement prices surge again in Himachal, adding to construction woes

In a surprising turn of events, cement prices in Himachal Pradesh have surged for the second time in just 20 days, leaving consumers and builders alike feeling the pinch. As of Monday morning, major cement companies—ACC, Ambuja, and UltraTech—have raised their prices by Rs 15 per bag, adding to the already mounting construction costs across the state.

Now, ACC cement is priced at Rs 450 per bag, while ACC Gold has reached Rs 490. Ambuja and UltraTech Cement have followed suit, reflecting a uniform price hike across these brands. This comes on the heels of a Rs 10 increase on August 24, making it a total hike of Rs 25 per bag in less than three weeks.

This sudden and significant rise has sent shockwaves through the construction sector, as cement is a crucial raw material. The cumulative hike is expected to ripple through various construction projects, driving up costs for housing, infrastructure, and small-scale building activities.

A local contractor shared his concerns, saying, “The price increase is a major challenge for us. It is becoming more difficult to manage project costs.” Many builders and individual consumers are worried about how these rising prices will impact ongoing and future projects, potentially causing delays and stretching budgets thin.

Despite the growing concerns, cement companies have remained tight-lipped, offering no official explanation for the consecutive price hikes. Residents are left grappling with the increased financial burden, questioning the timing and necessity of such steep price jumps.