ERODE: It is a loud bang of a different kind from Sivakasi, a town famous for Deepavali crackers.

Fireworks manufacturers will soon take up manufacturing yarn, looms and sewing machines. Sivakasi industrialists are venturing into weaving and garments. In a big way!

It is because there is not much scope for growth of the fireworks industry. "The fireworks industry here has reached the point of saturation. And, the highly qualified younger generation is for diversification into textiles," says N. Baskaran, a Sivakasi-based chartered accountant. He is coordinating the activities of the industrialists in setting up a textile park.

Quota-free regime

He told The Hindu over phone that the fireworks manufacturers decided on textiles because it promises a great deal of opportunities, with the quota-free regime.

In the recent past, the industrialists came together twice to decide on setting up an integrated textile park. On January 27, they are meeting again in Sivakasi to finalise the formalities.

Mr. Baskaran said a special purpose vehicle (SPV) would be created for setting up the park. Soon thereafter, the SPV will purchase land.

In their journey, the entrepreneurs knocked the doors of the Coimbatore-based Regional Office of the Textile Commissioner for help.

D. Ravi Kumar, Technical Officer at the Regional Office, says the region has inherent strengths because Rajapalayam, Sattur and Kovilpatti have spinning mills of good repute. Manpower is also in plenty. And, money too is not a problem.

At present, there are over 100 hi-tech looms in Sivakasi.

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