The Delhi government has invested over Rs 5,000 crore to develop three state-of-the-art industrial parks to promote non-polluting industries in the city. The move follows concerns expressed by a section of the government that Delhi was losing out on industries to satelite townships in the vicinity.
“We are equally concerned about migration of industries and offices, but due to limited space and high standard ecological norms we have little in our hands.There is no scope to make more industrial estates but we can do well with existing ones,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told the gathering at ‘Samriddhi’, an event organised by Business Standard Hindi.
According to government officials, the proposed facilities will provide viable solutions to entrepreneurs under one roof. The government has decided to invest Rs 1,500 crore on a knowledge park in Bapraula, Rs 2,500-3,000 crore on a multi-floor manufacturing centre in Ranikheda and is developing a modern industrial facility on 800-900 acres in Kanjhawala.
Dikshit said despite a lull in the manufacturing sector, the services sector is on an upswing creating millions of jobs in the city. Responding to questions on wages by industry representatives, the CM said wages in Delhi is higher compared to other states becuase it was linked with the inflaion index: If there is an increase in prices of essential commodities, the wages will also go northward.
The chief minister said hat green cover in the capital has increased to 20 per cent from two per cent in the last ten years and the government was trying to achieve the 25 per cent mark.
‘Samriddhi’, was organised in Delhi for the first time after three successful editions in Lucknow, Patna and Bhopal. Delhi Chief Secretary P K Tripathi, PHD Chamber of Commerce President Salil Bhandari, Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation Chairman and Managing Director Chetan B Sanghi, Chief Technical Officer of NDPL Arup Ghosh and Chairman of Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh Om Prakash Jain were present at the occasion among other dignitaries.
“If we want to improve the industry base in the city then we have to focus on skill development and value addition. A clean and green industry is the right way forward and the Maintenance Act will provide the much-needed boost to set up entrepreneurial ventures and knowledge-based industries,” said Tripathi.
PHD’s Bhandari emphasised on the huge potential for non-polluting industries like gems and jewelry and retail where techincal infrastructure was not necessary. Sanghi admitted that small industrialists needed “single window” solutions and the government was working in that direction.
