Textile park in Burhanpur going nowhere

While the Madhya Pradesh government is preparing for a gorgeous investors' meet for non-resident Indians in Indore next month, the plight of domestic industrialists remains. They are running from pillar to post with their mega investment proposals.

Indo MP Hi-Tech Textiles Zone Pvt. Ltd, a special purpose vehicle created by 76 Burhanpur-based textile mill owners, had proposed setting up a textile park with an investment of Rs 771.31 crore. The scheme has been reportedly considered part of the 11th Five Year Plan by the Union ministry of textiles and has been given necessary clearances.

Though the consortium has assured picking up 40 per cent in the park through subsidy, the state government has not informed it about its share in the park. Although the consortium can raise its stake in the park, it is expecting the state government to join hands with it to facilitate work.

"We are waiting for the last one and a half years but the state government has not responded," said Syed Farid, chairman of the SPV. However, the district industry centre (DIC) of Burhanpur in a statement has said it has provided assistance to the SPV.

"All the demands and documents have been forwarded to the state department of industries. Only the department and state cabinet can decide about picking up 9 per cent in the park," said P N Raikwar, general manager, DIC Burhanpur. Officials of the department of industry were not available for comment.

"We have arranged 74 acres at Kharkod and Mordar Kalan villages near Burhanpur. We have also signed a deal with farmers there," said Kanhaiya Lal Mittal, a member of the consortium. "Now it is up to the government to facilitate work," he added.

The textile park will have 30,000 spindles, a processing-house for cloth finishing, a sizing-unit and 800 powerlooms. The infrastructure cost will be Rs 104.57 crore.

The reporter was recently in Burhanpur