KARACHI, Nov 23: Expanded capacities of cement companies are rapidly coming on line as producers’ brace up to meet demand. Pioneer Cement’s additional capacity of 4,300 tons is on the verge of a start. That would raise the company’s installed capacity almost three times, from 2,350 tons to 6,650 tons.

Wapda had finally energized the much-awaited grid station on Monday, which marked the final stage in completion of the project. “We are now fully geared to begin production in a couple of weeks”, a senior company official at Pioneer told Dawn on Wednesday.

The company would be the second after Lucky Cement, which commissioned its third line in October. Other expansions and optimisations under progress include those of Pakistan Cement (formerly Chakwal); Maple Leaf; Cherat; Bestway; Dewan (formerly Pakland; Dewan Hattar (formerly Saadi).

Leaving aside for a moment, the huge demand that is likely to emerge as the phase of ‘concrete’ reconstruction begins in the earthquake-hit region, a cement producer contended that the supply was sufficient to meet the country’s ‘normal’ demand. He observed that sales during the outgoing year stood at 18 million tons. The industry capacity would mount to 23 million tons following the addition of expansions by Lucky and Pioneer. “At 20 per cent demand growth, by the end of current financial year to June 30, 2006, sales (both local and import) would total up to 22 million tons” he said, which would leave a million tons in excess.

He did not agree that one million ton was a small figure. “If a mega project such as construction of Kalabagh Dam were to go through, it would require 9 million tons in 7 years, which averages out to just 1.5 million tons a year”, he said.

But one could always argue over the capacity of the country’s industry to meet the demand as the ‘tentage’ villages in the devastated north, inevitably must transform into concrete structures. Reconstruction of nearly 3.3 million houses is envisaged by some estimates. Ideas have been floated of the use of alternative materials such as clay and wood. But some experts have aired concern over the use of wood as it could result in environmental damages and deforestation, if trees are cut down in huge numbers. On the face of it the government appears to have absolved itself of the responsibility of providing permanent housing, by extending to each family a sum of Rs 1,50,000/- to build their own homes. But the State is committed to rebuilding damaged infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, government buildings, schools and hospitals, all of which would require enormous supply of cement.

More than a month and half after the tragedy, the reconstruction and rehabilitation cell created by the government is still to come up with plans on how it proposes to move forward towards concrete construction, after the phase of ‘tentage’ villages and temporary infrastructures, is over. The focus is currently on the incoming commitments of grants, aids and loans. On Wednesday evening, the president (in a televised talk) announced the up-to-date figure of a comfortable $6 billion.