Infrastructure woes weigh down Pithampur

The industrial sectror in Madhya Pradesh (MP), specifically the Pithampur industrial hub, didn't get any respite from infrastructural problems in 2005.

Instability of the state government and bureaucratic inertia are seen as the key reasons for the problem.

The state's biggest industrial hub, Pithampur, which is located near Indore, is still not on the rail map while Indore-Ratlam and Indore-Jhabua highways need urgent repairs. The proposed special economic zone at Pithampur, for which the state government hasn't been able to find a strategic partner, is a story of unfulfilled promise.

Two years ago, when the Uma Bharati-led BJP government came to power in the state, expectations were that a revamp of the state's industrial policy would be undertaken. Promises were made and memorandums of understanding (MoU) were signed, but the Congress government could not implement those plans.

Babulal Gaur, the erstwhile chief minister, announced several new investment announcements worth Rs 50,000 crore but nothing has come of so far. The industrial scenario in the state still remains the same.

MP lags behind all its neighbouring states in terms of infrastructure. Gujarat, Maharashtra and the newly formed Chhattisgarh have much better track record at attracting new investment.

The end of 2005 saw a change of guard with Shivraj Singh Chauhan taking over as chief minister, the third in as many years. It remains to be seen if he can affect a change and address the crying need for infrastructure and industrial development in the state.