Centre approves Rs 675 crore industry cluster upgrade plan

With a view to enhance international competitiveness of the domestic industry by providing quality infrastructure through public-private partnership in select functional clusters, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion of the central government has formulated a new scheme in the name of Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (IIUS).

"The scheme includes creation of quality infrastructure in existing industrial clusters with high growth potential requiring strategic interventions for providing common infrastructure facilities. In addition, product design, information and communication technology support and such other physical infrastructure would also be provided. The scheme has an allocation of Rs 675 crore in the Tenth Plan. The department has approved 26 industrial clusters in different locations in country and two clusters-ayurvedic cluster in Thrissur (Kerala) and light engineering cluster in Faridabad (Haryana), have been approved during the current financial year," said Ajay Dua, secretary of the department.

"Special feature of this new initiative is that the scheme will be implemented through Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed by the cluster as the infrastructure development or upgrade is user driven. This arrangement will also ensure the creation of useful assets and sustainability of assets created," added Dua.