The Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) group and Volkswagen—the two auto major groups—have evinced interests in setting up new manufacturing facilities in Uttarakhand, claimed a government official from the hill state.
“We have received two proposals from the two auto companies (M&M and Volkswagen) for setting up new manufacturing facilities in the hill state,” said the official.
The state-owned State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (Sidcul), which is the nodal agency for industrialisation in the hill state, has promised the two companies it can provide land at Sitarganj where it is planning to develop a new industrial estate.
While M&M wants 700 acres of land, Volkswagen has demanded 200-300 acres from the Sidcul.
Interestingly, for developing a new industrial estate at Sitarganj, Sidcul is virtually praying for the victory of Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna from the constituency as his victory is expected to expediate the process of industrialisation.
Banking on its vast land at Sitarganj in Kumaon region, the Sidcul, which is left with no land at its key industrial estates like Pantnagar and Haridwar, is now hoping the that victory of the chief minister in Sitarganj byelections would boost the process of industrialisation there. “There is hardly any land left at Pantnagar and Haridwar for the purpose of industrial plots. We are now focusing on new plans to develop vast land at Sitarganj. The victory of our chief minister would bring good news for the area as far industrialisation is concerned,” said the official.
Under its plans, Sidcul would develop another industrial estate for thrust industries at over 1,200 acres of land at Sitarganj. An environmental impact assessment report in this regard is being prepared by IIT Roorkee.
However, the official admitted there had been unecessary delay in developing the proposed industrial estates. During the past five years, claimed the official, the BJP government failed to take any decision to develop new industrial estate as it was mainly focusing on the hilly areas