SHILLONG, July 1: Once a beacon of Meghalaya’s industrial heritage, the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL) — the state’s oldest public sector undertaking and sole government-owned cement plant — has drawn its curtains, marking the poignant end of a glorious era that shaped the region’s growth.
Established in the early 1960s in limestone-rich Sohra (then under undivided Assam) and inherited by Meghalaya after its creation in 1972, MCCL earned widespread acclaim for producing high-quality cement. Generations of workers and families thrived under its chimneys, symbolising state pride, self-reliance, and economic hope in the hills. Expansions in later decades underscored its vital role, even as it weathered challenges with resilience, only to fail.
Despite multiple revival attempts and substantial government investments running into crores, the plant could not match the competitive edge of flourishing private cement companies. Production halted years ago, leading to the inevitable but painful decision for closure.
The final chapter unfolded with the MDA government clearing the last tranche of the One-Time Special Industrial Closure Scheme — a “golden handshake” totalling around Rs 90.5 crore in three instalments (40:30:30 ratio).
The first instalment of Rs 36 crore was released in March 2025, followed by Rs 27 crore in July 2025, and the final Rs 27 crore in June 2026, now being disbursed to eligible employees. Long-pending supplier dues have also been cleared.
Sohra MLA Gavin Miguel Mylliem noted that after the decision to close the plant two years ago, the government explored options like public-private partnerships but found no viable partner.
As the iconic chimneys of MCCL fall silent, they leave behind not just memories of sturdy cement that built Meghalaya, but a deep sentimental reminder of an institution that once stood as a proud symbol of the state’s pioneering spirit.
