MADURAI: There is a need for industry-specific intervention to trigger economic development of Sivaganga district, which remains backward despite its potential to attract industrial investments and tourists.

A Confederation of Indian Industry study, `Business potential assessment of Sivaganga parliamentary constituency,' conducted by ICRA Management Consulting Services, reveals that improvement of human resources and basic infrastructure facilities will enhance the standing of Sivaganga, whose contribution to the State's GDP accounts for 1.4 per cent (against the average of 3.4 per cent). The study has identified heritage tourism, food and agro processing industry, art and crafts and Athangudi tiles as the key areas for growth.

"Neyveli dream"

It provides a new perspective to the district as all these years the focus has been on textiles and the availability of graphite (4 lakh tonnes) between Melur and Sivaganga. It was believed in the 1980s that development of graphite units around Komalipatti would transform Sivaganga into a Neyveli. But inconsistent quality, minimal value addition, high cost upgrading and availability of low cost, good quality graphite from China shattered the `Neyveli dream.' The district now has 5,283 industrial units, the highest among them are 1678 tailoring units. It has attracted just Rs 19.52 crore in industrial investment since 2001-06, generating 3,804 jobs. Its per capita income stands much lower than the State average of Rs.13,894.

The major infrastructure constraint is power deficit. There is no power generating station in the district, and many industrial units experience frequent power cuts and fluctuating supply. The average rainfall of 912 mm is well below the State average. The district is dependent on groundwater. It is well connected with Madurai and Tuticorin by road but rail gauge conversion work is in progress. The district has a literacy rate of 72.6 per cent and a human development index of 0.64, which is marginally lower than the State average.

Among the growth engines identified for the district, heritage tourism tops the list. With its proximity to Madurai, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari and its famous Chettinad cuisine and mansions and traditional art and crafts, Sivaganga has the potential to emerge as one of the most preferred destinations for tourists in the country. The manufacture of Athangudi (flower) tiles provides a unique business opportunity in a booming construction industry.

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