Industry hub in Mandi planned

HP government to develop smaller towns to resolve industrial congestion

To overcome the problem of industrial congestion and infrastructure at places like Parwanoo, Barotiwala, Kala amb, Poanta and Baddi, the Himachal government is all to set to lay emphasis on B and C category cities.

The state government plans to form an NRI town at Una, besides the international airport at Gagret (in Una district). Negotiations for the public-private partnerships are going on with "Skill infrastructure company".

The C-category, which comprises tribal areas and the most backward panchayats, under the Sirmor district, will be provided with special incentives by the state government, besides the central package.

Where as its B-category will have places falling under districts Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi etc. The effort is to promote these small towns as industrial hubs.

Industrialists will be asked to set up units in these parts of the state.

Special incentives will be provided on sales tax and power. Speaking to Business Standard, exclusively, Industry Minister, Himachal Pradesh, Kuldeep Kumar said, "We will make land available to the industry at a cheaper rate. This is being done to avoid further congestion of the industry at places like Parwanoo, Barotiwala, Kala Amb etc. Special incentives on sales tax and power will be given to the industry there. We are laying special emphasis on the tribal and backward areas of the city. Besides the central package, we will be offering special incentives to the areas under category C."

At the same time the process of acquiring land from farmers for the railway project is going at a fast pace in the state.

The state government plans to finish the first broad gauge line project in the state from Una-Talwara by 31 March, 2008.

"This will be the first broad gauge project in the state. The broad gauge has reached Charuru, but we intend to take it to Talwara by 31 March 2008. We will form an NRI town at Una, and an international airport at Gagret. It would be a PPP with Skill infrastructure company. Negotiations are going on."

So far the state government has attracted investment worth Rs 15,000 crore investment.

"A lot of projects are coming in the state. More investments will pour in. For the first time, single-window clearance and managing committee has been formed in the state. Almost 216,000 job opportunities will be generated by 31 March 2007," said the industry minister.