Infrastructure key to Surat's development: Crisil

Proper infrastructure facilities are necessary for Surat's development, representatives of rating agency Crisil said at a workshop, Vision Surat-2015, organised at the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Crisil representatives Sunil Parekh, Ramnath Aiyer and Deepti Velloriji said Surat and south Gujarat would become the centres of industrial activity and play a crucial role in the state's development.

Chamber president Dinesh Mandalaywala said, "All roads to progress will have to be opened if south Gujarat has to become a successful industrial centre. Infrastructure development would play a deciding role in this."

Drawing attention towards the Surat airport, Mandalaywala said, "Work on the airport has begun, but the pace of work is very slow. The work should gather momentum."

Mandalaywala stressed the need for developing a seaport in the region.

"In the coming 15 years, exports by sea routes will become extremely essential for the progress of trade and industry. Keeping this in mind, the government should develop a world-class seaport at Magdalla or Hazira," said Mandalaywala.

In addition to the textile and diamond industries, Mandalaywala also mentioned the role played by the chemical and intermediates dyes, jari, engineering goods, textile machinery and service industries in the progress of Surat.

Mandalaywala stressed on the need of setting up a garment park, jewellery park, textile cluster and agro-export zones in the region.

"Considering the tremendous potential in the textile and diamond industries, the government should take steps for developing garment park and jewellery park at the earliest. The government should also set up an agro research and development centre for promoting agro industries and agro foods exports," said Mandalaywala.

Mandalaywala also sought development of satellite towns near Surat.

"Navsari, Palsana, Bardoli and Kadodara can be developed as satellite towns. If these places are developed as industrial centres, the population density of Surat can be reduced. This would lead to equal distribution and development," said Mandalaywala.

The chamber president called upon the Crisil representatives to study and analyse the problems plaguing the local textile industry and suggest measures to overcome them.

He also urged them to present various issues concerning local industries before the government.