Cement and Steel Prices Hike: Home construction in Himachal Pradesh has become significantly more expensive as cement manufacturers and steel suppliers implemented a substantial price hike effective Monday. This surge follows a recent increase in brick prices, further straining the budgets of individual homebuilders and infrastructure projects across the hill state.
Cement Prices Rise by ₹15 Per Bag
Leading cement brands, including ACC, Ambuja, and UltraTech, have increased prices by ₹15 per bag. In Bilaspur, market rates for ACC Suraksha have climbed from ₹395 to ₹410, while ACC Gold is now retailing at ₹450, up from ₹435. Similarly, Anti-Corrosive (Jung Rodhak) cement has reached ₹395 per bag.
The upward trend is consistent across other major players. Ambuja Cement, previously priced at ₹400, is now being sold at ₹415. In the Chamba region, rates are slightly higher due to logistics, with Ambuja Plus touching ₹465 and ACC reaching ₹420. UltraTech and Bangur cement prices have also seen a standard upward revision, now retailing between ₹400 and ₹405 per bag.
Steel and TMT Bar Prices Climb
The steel market has witnessed even sharper volatility. Over the last 20 days, the price of steel (sariya) has jumped by approximately ₹1,000 per quintal.
In Hamirpur, 12mm TMT bars that were previously available for ₹6,100 have now surged to a range of ₹6,500 to ₹6,600. Premium brands have reflected the following changes per quintal:
- Tata Steel: Increased from ₹6,800 to ₹7,000
- Jindal Steel: Increased from ₹6,400 to ₹6,600
- Kamdhenu Steel: Increased from ₹6,500 to ₹6,700
Key Factors Driving the Inflation
Industry analysts and local vendors attribute this sudden spike in construction material costs to a combination of domestic and global economic pressures. The primary drivers include:
- Raw Material Costs: A significant increase in the procurement cost of limestone and iron ore.
- Energy Crisis: Rising prices of coal, a critical fuel for cement kilns.
- Logistics: An escalation in transportation and freight charges within the mountainous terrain.
- Global Impact: Supply chain disruptions linked to ongoing international conflicts.
This cumulative increase – compounded by the recent ₹2 to ₹3 hike per brick – presents a challenging environment for the real estate sector in Himachal Pradesh, as developers and private citizens grapple with the rising cost of essential building materials.
