Key Points

In fiscal 2025, cement demand growth was moderate at 4.5-5.5 per cent owing to a sluggish start to the year because of the general elections, spatially well-distributed monsoon that impacted construction along with high base of the past three fiscals, the report stated.

Weak state government spending in the first half also slowed pace of project execution and a slow real estate market impacted urban housing.

"Infrastructure, which accounts for 29 to 31 per cent of the domestic cement demand, is expected to remain a key demand driver in the current fiscal too. Within infrastructure, roads have been the largest contributor, followed by railways, irrigation and urban infrastructure," the report added.

Rural housing will continue to dominate cement consumption, with an estimated share of 32-34 per cent, as a heathy monsoon season is expected to boost agricultural income, which will create housing demand.

In addition, several schemes by central government such as PMGSY and MNREGA targeted towards rural segment will also support consumption due to higher budgetary allocation.

The pace of execution is expected to pick up under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, with a rise in sanctions and more under-construction units. Average rural wages, which are estimated to have increased around 25 per cent on-year in fiscal 2025, are expected to remain on the higher side this fiscal too.

The urban housing segment, which faced headwinds in fiscal 2025 due to sluggish real estate, is expected to regain momentum in the current fiscal, owing to a low base, interest rate cuts and improved execution pace under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban. The allocation for the scheme is up by a substantial 45 per cent in the Union Budget 2025-26.

The industrial and commercial segment, which accounts for 13-15 per cent of the domestic cement demand, is expected to see a steady growth this fiscal, driven by traction from commercial real estate and warehousing.

Following three years of strong growth, the segment had slowed down in fiscal 2025 owing to moderation in private capex growth, the report said.

"Notably, budgets of 12 states, accounting for 63-65 per cent of Indian cement demand, reveal a substantial 11 per cent increase in total allocations for the current fiscal. Furthermore, the government's emphasis on establishing specialised rail corridors for the energy, mineral and cement industries, along with initiatives to promote tourism, is expected to bolster demand," said Crisil Intelligence director Sehul Bhatt.

- IANS