Business Standard

Rajasthan to set up ceramic hub in Neemrana over 1,000 acres

Rajasthan plans to set up a ceramic hub over 800-1000 acres in Neemrana, a senior state government official said today.

The state industrial development agency, Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Ltd (RIICO) is on a look out for an ideal location for the project.

"We are looking for 800-1000 acres for this mega project. We expect to rope in top of the line ceramic industry players for this industrial zone. We have selected Neemrana as it is close to Delhi and NCR which are the major consumption markets of ceramic products," a senior official said.

Rajasthan is the major producer of all required input materials for the ceramic industry. It is the leading producer of minerals like quartz & silica sand, primary & secondary clays, feldspar, soapstone and wollastanite that are widely used in manufacturing ceramic products.

However, the state failed to attract ceramic players to set up their shops here. The reason is that it lacks natural gas. The gas is mainly used for powder drying, tiles drying and final heat treatment which strengthens ceramic products.

Now that the availability of natural gas in Neemrana-Bhiwadi industrial zone is being addressed by the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL), RIICO has drawn plans to roll out this zone by next year.

"GAIL is likely to commission the Chainsa-Jhajjar spur line (Sultanpur-Neemrana) gas pipeline project by this year.It will meet the gas demand of consumers in Haryana and Rajasthan, at various locations like Chopanki, Bhiwadi, Dharuhera, Khushkhera, Neemrana, Gurgaon, Khandsa, Manesar and Banmoli," the official said.