Limestone producing states in India are instrumental in backing the country’s infrastructure development. Limestone is a primary raw material for cement production, which in turn is essential for building houses, roads, dams and bridges.
In recent years, limestone production has seen remarkable growth in several Indian states, thanks to globalization and effective government policies that promote private sector engagement in mineral exploration.
India ranks as the third largest producer of limestone in the world, with a production level of 450 million metric tonnes in FY 2023-2024.
Limestone is among the nation’s most valuable mineral resources, and India is highly self-sufficient in producing it, along with iron ore and aluminium.
As per the Indian Bureau of Mines, a total of 689 limestone mines in India, of which 36 mines produce more than 3 million tonnes per year. Contributing 47% of the total limestone production in India
Here’s a breakdown of the major limestone producing states in India, along with key highlights and contributing factors for each.
- Rajasthan
- Andhra Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Gujarat
- Tamilnadu
1. Rajasthan – Top Limestone Producing State in India
Rajasthan stands top among the limestone producing states in India, contributing 23% to India’s total limestone production.
The state boasts a diverse range of limestone grades suitable for steel manufacturing, cement production, and various other industries.
In 1986, a technical team from the Government of India recommended Jaisalmer limestone for use in steel production, highlighting its value in the industry
Its low silica content and high decrepitation index make it ideal for steel manufacturing, establishing Jaisalmer limestone as the preferred choice for the steel industry.
Additionally, the limestone deposits in the Gotan District feature very low silica, high calcium content, and a moderate decrepitation index, making Gotan limestone a preferred choice for the steel, chemicals, and cement manufacturing industries.
Some of the notable steel industries, such as SAIL, TISCO, Vizag Steel Plant, Indian Iron & Steel Company Ltd, and Jindal Steel, have all favoured Rajasthan’s limestone.
2. Andhra Pradesh
Recognized as one of the largest limestone producing states in India, Andhra Pradesh accounts for 13% of the nation’s total limestone production.
During 2023-2024, A.P. contributed a massive 60,015,732 tonnes of limestone, representing a significant share of the nation’s overall output.
The majority of the state limestone contribution comes from Rayalseema districts, followed by Krishna and Guntur.
Key limestone deposits, such as Narji limestone and high-grade tuffaceous limestone, occur in the Cuddapah, Anantapur, and Kurnool districts, with high demand in cement manufacturing.
Conversely, the limestone found in the Guntur and Krishna districts is used for both cement and flux-grade purposes.
Overall, the limestone resources of Andhra Pradesh form the backbone of the nation’s cement industry.
Major cement companies operating in the state include Andhra Cements, Anjani Portland Cement Ltd, Deccan Cements, J.K. Cements, NCL Industries, Bharathi Cements, and Panyam Cements.
3. Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh has abundant limestone deposits, contributing around 14% to India’s total limestone production.
In the year 2023-2024, Madhya Pradesh achieved a record-breaking limestone production of 62,573,297 tonnes.
Limestone deposits in Madhya Pradesh occur in various forms and primarily exist within the Vidhyan Supergroup region.
Notable varieties of M.P’s limestone are Rohtas with light grey colour and known for its quality, and Nagod limestone, which has fine grading and is hard.
The major districts producing limestone in Madhya Pradesh include Jabalpur, Satna, Katni, Dhar, Rewa, and Neemuch.
Most of the limestone extracted from the state is cement grade, with some also classified as BF (Blast Furnace) grade.
Cement production, sugar manufacturing, paper making, and steel and lime production are the primary uses of Madhya Pradesh limestone.
4. Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is an important contributor to India’s limestone production, accounting for 11% of the total output in 2023-2024.
During this period, the state’s limestone production stood at 49,278,535 tonnes.
Districts such as Bilaspur, Bastar, Baloda Bazar, Durg, Kawardha, Raipur, and Raigarh have key limestone deposits.
Most of the state’s limestone is used for cement production.
Additionally, the limestone from Raipur and Durg districts is also suitable for iron and steel production.
The state is home to 19 cement plants, with notable companies including Ambuja Cements Ltd, Jaypee Cements, Shree Cement, and UltraTech.
5. Karnataka
Recognized as one of the richest mineral states in India, Karnataka boasts the largest limestone reserves among all limestone producing states in india.
Karnataka contributed approximately 9% of India’s total limestone production, amounting to around 40,831,626 tonnes.
Key limestone deposits of the state are located in Gulbarga, Shimoga, Bagalkot, Belgaum, and Chitradurga districts.
Industries predominantly use the limestone extracted from these districts in cement manufacturing and paper mills.
Notably, manufacturers primarily use the limestone from the Kalaburagi district, widely known as Shahabad limestone, as flooring stones.
In addition, Karnataka is also a substantial producer of lime shell, which is an important raw material in various industries.
6. Telangana
Having 8% of the nation’s total limestone reserves and being home to some of the major cement companies, Telangana is one of the major limestone-producing states in India.
Telangana contributed around 26.79 million tonnes of limestone, accounting for approximately 6% of India’s overall limestone production in 2023-2024.
The state boasts extensive limestone deposits, primarily located in districts such as Adilabad, Vikarabad, Karimnagar, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, and Ranga Reddy.
Among these, Nalgonda district boasts the richest limestone resources, hosting numerous cement factories.
The limestone found in the Nalgonda and Vikarabad districts is notable for its quality and suitability for construction applications. Available in slab form, this limestone is highly sought after by builders and architects nationwide for flooring and elevation projects.
Meanwhile, the limestone deposits in Adilabad serve diverse industrial purposes, including paper mills, sugar factories, cement production, and steel plants.
7. Gujarat
Known for its diverse range of limestone deposits, Gujarat stands out as one of India’s major limestone producing states.
This region is rich in various types of limestone, including Archaean, Ajabgarh, Lameta, Nummulitic, Kand, and Dwaraka limestone.
The limestone deposits are spread across several districts, such as Amreli, Junagadh, Porbandar, Dahod, Bharuch, Surat, Sabarkantha, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Kheda, and Bhavnagar.
With impressive limestone reserves of around 11,987 million tonnes, Gujarat not only meets its own needs but also has the capacity to supply limestone to other states.
In 2023-2024, the state produced about 23,400,469 tonnes of limestone, accounting for roughly 5% of India’s total limestone production.
Industries use Gujarat’s limestone for cement production as well as for chemicals, soda ash, and caustic soda.
8. Tamilnadu
Limestone serves as one of the vital mineral reserves in Tamil Nadu, with two primary types found in the region, crystalline limestone and fossiliferous limestone.
The deposits are spread across several districts, including Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, Kanchipuram, Madurai, and Tirunelveli.
In the 2023-2024 period, the state’s limestone production capacity reached approximately 26,647,327 tonnes, accounting for around 6% of India’s total limestone output.
The limestone available in Tamil Nadu is extensively used across various industries, including cement, steel, paper, foundry, and fertilizers.
Key players in the Tamil Nadu limestone market include TANCEM, Chettinad Cements, Dalmia, Ramco, and UltraTech Cements Ltd.
