1,200 in India Protest Closure of ACC Jhinkpani Cement Plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On July 1, 2026, 1,200 protesters, including workers, residents, social activists, and union members, marched to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of West Singhbhum in Chaibasa, Jharkhand, India, demanding government action against the closure of the ACC Jhinkpani cement plant. The plant is scheduled to close its gates for the last time on August 16, 2026.

The company cited depleted limestone reserves, rising clinker production costs, and the plant's "aging, inefficient" condition as reasons for its operations becoming uneconomical. The Jhinkpani plant had been gradually reducing production over the past few months. Cement production was suspended on April 1, 2026, following the termination of clinker supply from the company's Bargarh and Sindri plants on March 31, 2026. Production completely ceased on May 3, 2026, after the plant's 15 MW captive power plant was also shut down.

Local social worker Ramesh Balmuchu stated that the closure of the cement plant would bring misfortune to Chaibasa, which heavily relies on its successful operation. Employee Birbal Gope said the shutdown would directly affect nearly 1,500 workers, including 74 permanent employees. He estimated that 50,000 people depend directly or indirectly on the plant for their livelihoods.

Workers and residents announced plans to march to the Jharkhand government building in Ranchi in August 2026 to further call for preventing the plant's closure.