The Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF), an apex body representing 5,000 foundries in the country, is planning to set up a centre for innovation in Bangalore. “The centre will be first of its kind in the country which will provide many common facilities to the foundry units like R&D lab, a small foundry to test inputs and raw material, training centre among others,” H Sundara Murthy, President, IIF said.
Talking to the reporters, he said the IIF would be submitting a proposal to the government of Karnataka to allot five acres land near Bangalore to set up the centre for innovation.
The initial investment would be around Rs 100 crore, he said adding that the IIF would access funds from various sources like department of science and technology, CSIR and ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises.
“We have already discussed the proposal with the top bureaucrats at the state government and a formal proposal will be given to the chief minister on March 2 and request him to allot five acres land near Bangalore,” Murthy said.
IIF has identified three locations on Tumkur road, Kanakapura road and Doddaballapur road for setting up the centre for innovation, he said.
Murthy said India’s first Foundry Park set up at Dobaspet industrial estate near Bangalore will be operational very soon. The state government has allotted 46 acres land for about 35 foundry units at this park, of which three are operational. The total investment from all the units would be in excess of Rs 500 crore, he said adding that another foundry cluster will be operational in Shimoga shortly with about 30 units.
Karnataka’s first foundry cluster is already operational with about 350 units in Belgaum.
