An MoU has been signed between Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and Govt of Himachal Pradesh for setting up a 2 Million Tonne per annum cement plant (Phase-I) at Chamba at an investment of Rs 800 crores based on Broh-Sindh Limestone deposit in District Chamba recently. The plant is expected to be commissioned by December 2009.

This plant will be a large-scale employment generator providing direct employment to 1000 persons and will act as catalyst of indirect employment to over 5000 persons in down stream bringing prosperity to the region, says Rajiv Gaur, President of the Jaypee Group.

Jaypee is also setting up a 3 million tonne capacity cement plant based on Baga Bhalag mines in Village Baga and Bagheri of District Solan with an investment of Rs 1100 crores alongwith a captive power plant. This plant will offer employment opportunity to appox 1000 persons directly with cascading impact on downstream employment to 6000 persons, bringing prosperity to the region.

Jaypee Group has emerged as the biggest private sector investor in Himachal Pradesh with its investment of nearly Rs.9000 crores in cement and in hydro power sectors, and has also been involved in the development of 44 percent of already harnessed hydro-power in the state. Himachal Pradesh has an identified power potential of approximately 20,300 MW in its five river basins of which approx 6000 MW has been harnessed so far.

Jaypee is already constructing1000mw Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Electric Project on BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) basis with a project cost of appox. Rs 5900 crores. The project is expected to be commissioned by 2011 and upon completion this would be the largest hydro power station in the private sector.

Baspa-II Hydro Electric Project was the first private sector initiative allowed by the government in hydropower sector which the Jaypee Group successfully commissioned on Built Own & Operate & Transfer (BOOT) basis at a project cost of Rs 1500 crores on river Baspa in District Kinnaur and which has been generating power since May-2003. The success of the project and the subsequent IPO and listing of the shares of Jaiprakash Hydro-Power Ltd on the stock exchanges has given a momentum to private sector investment in Himachal Pradesh and subsequently the government has signed MOUs with various private investors to develop 2500 MW of the states hydro-power potential, which would bring in an investment of over Rs 12,000 crores into the state.

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About Jaypee Group

Jaypee Group a Rs.3500 Crores industrial conglomerate having rich presence in Infrastructure, Hydro Power, Cement, Education and Hospitality sectors, embarking on environmental friendly projects to fulfill its social objectives, has taken up this project on BOOT basis - transforming challenges into opportunities – true to its reputation. The Group's interests in imparting all round education through various Schools, Colleges and other Technical Institutes are some of the few bold steps in turning the vision of imparting all round knowledge to the future generation, into reality.