The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Industrial Estate still plagued by infrastructure problems

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 02, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Industrial Estate still plagued by infrastructure problems

Sandhya Soman

Guindy units say upgradation delay is costing them dear

IN A MESS: Guindy Industrial Estate... unpaved roads and open drains. — Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

CHENNAI : Fifty and still struggling. Guindy Industrial Estate continues to grapple with the infrastructure problems it was faced with in its infancy, even in its golden jubilee year. The problems persist, primarily because of a delay in the implementation of an ambitious public-private initiative to develop infrastructure in the estate.

The small-scale industrial units, government facilities and the newly set up industrial houses are waiting for the well laid-out roads, underground sewerage, storm water drains and effective water supply system as envisaged by the two-year-old infrastructure upgradation programme. The project cost is Rs. 12.5 crore, with the Centre and the State contributing Rs. 2 crore each and unit holders chipping in with Rs. 2.7 crore.

Industries in the estate, particularly the small and tiny manufacturing units, say they stand to lose export orders because of the delay.

"The upgrade was initiated at the same time as in Ambattur Industrial Estate. We are yet to start while they have gone ahead," says managing director of RR Industries R. Ravi.

The Industrial Estate Manufacturers' Association president, K. Gopalakrishnan, attributes the delay to a combination of factors, including problems in getting funds from the unit-holders. Metrowater is now ready to start floating tenders to lay underground sewers and an effluent treatment facility. "This costs Rs. 5 crore and we have already handed over half of the project cost to the Metrowater," he says.

Money has also been given to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to relocate electrical structures to help widen roads.

The construction of storm water drains, desilting of a nullah, setting up of rainwater harvesting pits and re-laying of 22 roads have to be done by the nodal agency — Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation (TNRDC).

If everything goes as per the review meeting held by Small Industries Secretary Arun Ramanathan on July 19, road works, storm water drains and street lighting will be completed by June 2007.

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