6 industrial clusters cleared for Punjab

The ministry of small-scale industries (SSI) has announced 64 industrial clusters in the country, of which six have been chosen for Punjab.

These clusters are for electroplating, fasteners, building and hardware, and knitted outerwear, which have been identified for Ludhiana; a leather cluster for Jalandhar; and a steel re-rolling cluster for Mandi Gobindgarh.

The 600-odd electroplating units of Ludhiana have stressed that the cluster will take shape in five years. Thereafter, the red category units (the ones that are heavily polluting) will be shifted outside the city.

The electroplating industry has said the electroplating cluster can help double its turnover. The industry is in the process of identifying land for the cluster, which was recently approved by the Centre.

Speaking to Business Standard, Small Industries Service Institute (SISI) Director RC Chopra said nearly 250 units are in the red category in residential areas, and 600 electroplating units are functional in the city.

"They can be shifted in a cluster of about 50 acres outside the city where a common treatment plant will be there. The units can also expand more there, and increase their productivity."

The units are working on a project report to be presented to the Central government.

According to the report, 80 per cent of the share will be contributed by the government and 20 per cent by industry. Industrialists say that their present turnover of nearly Rs 1,000 crore will double in five years, and employment too will be doubled.

"With the cluster's formation, the turnover is likely to double as bottlenecks for this industry in infrastructure, etc. will be taken care of," said Ludhiana Electroplaters Association President Joginder Kumar.

Chopra further said the process of formation of six clusters approved for industry here was expected to begin in the next six months.