The Hindu : New Delhi News : Vacant industrial plots may invite action

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 12, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Vacant industrial plots may invite action

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 11. Coming close on the heels of the drive to close down polluting industries in the non-conforming areas, the Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC) today warned that it could contemplate cancellation of plots of those who have failed to start construction activity at their sites. The warning comes in the wake of complaints that financers were holding a large numbers of plots for speculation purpose.

Stating that DSIDC was determined to carry out the entire exercise of relocation of industries in an effective manner, the DSIDC chairman, Hasan Ahmed, said it had been brought to his notice that hundreds of plots were lying vacant without any construction activity for the past few years. Financers who have bought them for speculative purpose are waiting for the right time to make money. Complaints have come from the industrial associations of Narela that nearly 800-odd such plots were under the control of speculators. "I will talk to the DSIDC managing director and seek issuance of necessary directions to set the situation right. The DSIDC is in the midst of a massive relocation exercise and such a situation was unacceptable. A timeframe should be fixed for completion of construction activity,'' he stated.

Mr. Ahmed said DSIDC under the directions of the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, was carrying one of the biggest relocation of industries exercise in the country and, by and large, it had been very successful in developing the industrial estates, including that at Bawana, within a short period of time. However, Mr. Ahmed said he was not exactly satisfied with the pace of infrastructure development, including roads, at the Narela Industrial Complex. The progress on construction of roads had been very slow and this needed to be speeded up in order to ensure that entrepreneurs get the best of facilities when they shift here. The Government, he said, was committed to a harmonious relationship between the employee and the employer and suggested that both should join hands to celebrate common festivals to strengthen the bonds between the two.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work on the Common Effluent Treatment Plant at Narela, Mr. Ahmed said certain problems had been brought to his notice and he would meet the officials concerned to get them sorted out. On the other hand, Mr. Ahmed said work was progressing at a very good pace for construction of the low cost housing project for the labour class at Bawana. This is a unique project and probably the first of its kind in the country and would create residential facilities for lakhs of labourers who are now slowly shifting to Bawana in view of the relocation of industries. Mr. Ahmed said he would also urge the Chief Minister to explore the possibility of extending the Metro Rail service to Bawana in view of the large population likely to shift there over the next two to three years.

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