Nagaon, Sept. 12: The expansion of the Rs 95-51-crore Bokajan cement factory in Karbi Anglong is likely to start this year after violence, inadequate funds and reluctance of reputed companies to work on the project put it on hold since 2007.

A Bangalore-based construction company will soon be engaged to execute the expansion project and will be completed in two years.

The unit under Cement Corporation of India (CCI) plans to double its daily production from existing 600mt to 1200mt.

“Initially, we called tenders thrice but not a single reputed party came forward. We selected the Bangalore-based construction company in the fourth attempt that had submitted tenders along with two others,” said a source at Bokajan CCI.

The source said major work under the project include two grinding stations — one at Bandorduwa in Arunachal Pradesh and the other at Boikunthapur in Cachar.

“Trouble in the hill district was the main reason behind the refusal of the construction companies to execute the project. Now there is normality after the Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front rebels laid down arms. Moreover, the state government promised to provide security as soon as work starts,” he added.

Bokajan is one among the three profit-making units of the corporation, while the other two are Rajbon in Himachal Pradesh and Tandur in Andhra Pradesh.

In 2009-10, the Bokajan unit produced 150,000mt cement, which is a record. Its profit touched Rs 12.6 crore during that fiscal year.

“In 2005, five units closed down. In the same year, 180 Bokajan employees opted for special voluntary retirement. Right now we have 349 permanent staff,” the source said.

But Bokajan residents said lime dust from the factory polluted the environment and posed a health hazard.

“We have requested several times to take some steps to reduce the pollution but to no avail,” said Ranjan Hazarika of Sariahjan.

According to the CCI source, the existing dust control concept — electrostatic precipitator — would soon be upgraded with a cost of around Rs 7.5 crore and the new system might reduce the lime dust.

“The new dust control system is also a part of the project,” he said.

The Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad has been pressing the CCI to control the pollution. It also demanded recruitment of 100 local Bokajan youths in different posts in the production unit.