Kolkata, Jun 29 (IANS): Amid growing demand, the Dalmia Bharat group expects capacity utilisation of its cement plants in the eastern region will increase, a top official of the group said on Tuesday.

"The eastern market is expected to grow at around 10-12 per cent this year. We aim to grow at almost double that rate.

"In Bengal the growth has been robust and the trend is expected to continue. Demand is also growing in Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand. Planned investment in infrastructure, especially in roads in the rural sector and housing will boost demand for cement," said group company OCL India director and CEO Amandeep.

The group installed around 9 million tonnes capacity in the eastern part of the country with plants located at Odisha, Bengal and Jharkhand. It sold around 6.8 million tonnes the eastern market in the last fiscal and expects to achieve nearly full capacity this year.

It has also around 3 million tonne capacity in the northeast.

The company would focus on utilising its existing assets before adding more capacity. "In times to come we would require more capacity. But as of now, nothing is finalised," he said.

Bengal's cement market is at around 15 million tonnes per annum and grew at 6 per cent last year. In addition to its plant at Salboni in the state, the company also leased capacity at a cement plant in Siliguri.