Fix flaws in infra of clusters before expansion: Industries

Gurgaon: With Monday’s pre-monsoon showers yet again exposing the abysmal state of public infrastructure in the industrial areas of Gurgaon, industrialists have derided the state government’s plans to develop new manufacturing hubs like Kharkhoda while the existing ones are forced to grapple with poor power infrastructure and drainage system.
From long power cuts impacting the operations at the factories to waterlogged streets making the commute of the workers and transportation of goods a near-to-impossible task, industrial operations in Gurgaon and Manesar have remained severely impacted since Monday.
Industrialists say that even as the state government boasts of a landmark Rs 2,400-crore deal with Maruti Suzuki for a new automobile plant in Kharkhoda, the infrastructure of the existing industrial areas in Gurgaon, Manesar and sectors 36 and 37 (where Global City is to come up) doesn’t bode well for the expansion of new clusters.
Federation of Indian Industry’s (FII) general secretary (Haryana) Deepak Maini said, “The public infrastructure in every existing cluster, be it in Udyog Vihar or sectors 36 and 37 or Manesar, is in a shambles. Just a few hours of rain is enough to flood the roads and trigger a power outage. Since the roads are flooded, workers can’t report to their factories on time. And those who manage to do so are unable to work due to prolonged power cuts. CM Khattar first needs to put the existing industrial areas in order.”
“It’s good that the government is developing Kharkhoda into an industrial town. But in our repeated correspondence to the government and the CM, we have urged them to first fix the issues of the existing industrial clusters,” said Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA) president JN Mangla.
“From streetlights to unmotorable roads and poor drainage systems to outdated power infrastructure, not a single public service is in the right place. Look at the situation in Binola or other clusters and their conditions are appalling. Now, when foreigners come and see these, they aren’t very confident to expand their operations here. So, the growth of new clusters depends on how well systems are in place in the old ones.”
Responding to TOI’s question, during the Maruti Suzuki deal last week, on how does the government aim to utilise the Rs 2,400 crore received from the automobile giant, CM Khattar said, “The fund utilisation is an internal matter and will be done after assessing the needs and priorities that are in interest of the people.”
Industries say that it’s unlikely that the money will be used for the development of the industrial activities and would most likely be used to settle bank loans. Industrialists rue that regardless of the high maintenance cost, external development charges and internal development charges, the government has failed to assure that basic infrastructure is in order for the industries to work at their full capacity.
“About Rs 110 crore is collected as maintenance cost from Manesar alone. That is not utilised properly. The entire power infrastructure is in a dilapidated condition and there’s no alternative source of power supply in the event of any breakdown, which happens multiple times even on a day when weather is kind,” said IMT Manesar Industrial Association president PK Yadav.
“Projects announced to put things right, like the ‘smart grid project’, have remained pipedreams for years now. While new clusters are being developed, the ones in areas like Bawal and Dharuhera are in total disarray. The government should fix these on a priority basis,” he added.
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