Now building houses in the state has become very expensive. Here the rates of rebar, cement, sand-gravel etc. have suddenly increased. Within two months, the rates of bars have gone up by 30 per cent per quintal. In the upper areas of the capital Shimla, the prices of bars have gone up to Rs 8,600 to Rs 8,800 by adding GST. The rates of cement have also increased to Rs 465 per bag. Same is the case with other parts of the state. In the inaccessible areas, the bars are reaching very expensive. The price of square pipe has reached 10 thousand rupees per quintal. In the last two months, the rate of bars has set a record with an increase of about Rs 2,000.In the last one year, there has been an increase of about Rs 2,400 to Rs 2,500. In two years, the bars have increased by about Rs 3,500 to Rs 3,800. Same is the case with cement rates. Two years ago, where cement was being available at Rs 410 per bag, it has now reached around Rs 465. That is, it has increased to Rs 55. These are Shimla rates. It varies according to the cost of transport in different areas. The same is true of gravel. The gravel which was available in Shimla up to Rs 28 per square foot has now reached Rs 35. Sand has also become expensive.

There is no state control in this: Dhiman Additional Chief Secretary Industries RD Dhiman told that the rates of bars have increased at the national level. There is no state control in this. As far as cement is concerned, it has still increased less in the comparative state. In this regard, talks are held with the cement companies of Himachal Pradesh from time to time.

District Sariya Cement (Rs. per quintal) (Rs. per bag)Mandi 8,400 450Kullu 8,200 468Shimla 8,800 450/520Hamirpur 7,600 415/420Dharamshala 8,200 435Chamba 8,400 450Bilaspur 7,800/8,200 420/425Una 7,500/7,800 422/425