Ludhiana, one of the leading knitted apparel manufacturing hubs, had a meeting with The Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) and different industrial associations regarding the upcoming industrial park near Mattewara forest.
Knitwear and Textile Club, Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organisation (FICO) and Ludhiana Dyers’ Association and other trade bodies shared their suggestions regarding the park.
Size of plots, connectivity, establishment of effluent treatment plants (ETP) and earmarking space to establish labour quarters were the major issues discussed in the meeting.
Vinod Thapar, President, Knitwear and Textile Club was of the view that space be earmarked to establish labour quarters, as it will be difficult to transport labourers to the area. Further, he said that size of the plots to be allocated should not be less than 1,000 square yards.
Rahul Verma from Focal Point Dyeing industry suggested that at present, GLADA is offering a minimum plot of 1 acre at a cost of 1.90 crore, which is very high.
Industry stakeholders sought information regarding connecting roads. They said that the authorities should also earmark some space for small and medium industry in the park and a residential colony should also be developed.
Apart from industry representatives, members of different NGOs, who have been opposing the project, citing damage to the nearby Mattewara forest area and pollution of the Sutlej River, were also part of meeting.
PS Gill, Chief administrator, GLADA said that the decision regarding whether it will be a textile park or if any other sector has to be involved will be taken by the Punjab Small Industries and Exports Corporation (PSIEC).
“Suggestions from industrialists have been noted and more such meetings will be held with industrial associations in the coming time. The Mattewara forest will not be damaged as no forest land is being used to establish the industrial park,” he said.
