The two major components of the plastic, polymer and allied cluster proposed at Balasore- integrated logistics hub and common facility hub have been targeted to be completed by December 2012 as the state government is committed to put the cluster development work on the fast track.
The integrated logistics hub will consist of warehouse spread over 33,790 sq ft, truck parking with commercial area of over 9,000 sq ft and a one-km railway siding. The common facility hub will be equipped with facilities like machine room, testing & traning centre, exposition centre, trade centre, auditorium, executive hostel, convention hall and craft village.
The construction work on the railway siding will start soon after receipt of approval from the Railway authorities. Chief Secretary B K Patnaik wants the preparation of detailed project report (DPR) for the siding within two weeks.
This project is being implemented by special purpose vehicle (SPV) called NOCCI Balasore Infrastructure Company formed between the North Odisha Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NOCCI) and the state owned Idco.
Currently, over 100 units operate from the cluster with an annual turnover totaling to Rs 2,500 crore, of which Rs 750 crore are earned from exports. The cluster employs around 7,700 people. Three industrial estates on the outskirts of Balasore- Ganeswarpur (64 acres), Somnathpur (458 acres) and Balgopalpur (155 acres) have been identified for the ‘Plastic, Polymer and Allied Cluster’.
This complex is being developed under the Centre's Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (IIUS) at an estimated cost of Rs 81.90 crore of which Central grant is Rs 58.28 crore.
An expenditure of Rs 13.97 crore has been incurred on the project including Rs 5 crore spent by industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (Idco) with the balance Rs 8.97 crore spent by the SPV. The SPV has requested the water resources department for sourcing 60,000 kilolitres per day from the Budhabalanga river.
Polymer based units constitute nearly 50 per cent of the total operating units of the cluster. Most of the units established in the complex are involved in processing of plastics and polymers including manufacturing of plastic pipes, polypropylene based household products, polypropylene woven sacks and rubber-based prophylactics. Other units are involved in paper manufacturing, ferro chrome production, manufacturing of multi-wall paper sacks, ceramics-based components for steel plants, fabrication and engineering.
