MIDC to set up three textile parks in Nashik region

Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is the implementing agency the state depends for industrial growth. Business Tushar Pawar to RK Gawde who recently took charge as Nashik regional officer, MIDC.

What are your priorities?

Nashik is so close to both Mumbai and Pune. Besides, availability of water, skilled manpower and infrastructure are another salient features.

On the other hand, industry in Pune is close to a saturation limit and land rates in Pune are so higher.

Hence, industrialists from Pune, Mumbai and other parts of the country are being attracted towards Nashik and we are also getting inquiries from industrialists for lands in Nashik.

Considering this fact, our first priority is to develop new sites and provide all necessary facilities to the industry.

Nashik's industrial growth is slow compared with Pune though both are on the equidistant from Mumbai. Your views.

It's a long-term process. The preference was given to Pune as facilities were available there. But the situation is different now. Industrialists are now preferring Nashik.

In short, Nashik is becoming the new destination for industrialists.

Ambad and Satpur MIDC areas in Nashik are fully occupied and land is not available here for new large industries wanting to set up their base here. What MIDC is doing in this regard?

We are taking efforts to acquire some sites near Nashik, but we are facing several difficulties in land acquisition due to various reasons.

But, we are developing a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with multi-product specific at Sinnar (30 kms from Nashik on Pune Road) and we are acquiring 1,500 hectares land for the purpose. The industrialists' need for land will be fulfilled there.

The IT park is lying idle here for the last four years as not a single IT company has turned here. What are the measures MIDC taking in this regard?

The MIDC is taking initiatives in this regard. Some IT companies have shown willingness to set up their base here. Hence, IT picture in Nashik city will be different in the next few years.

According to industrialists, the rates of IT galas and IT plots are so high. What do you think in this regard? Will MIDC reduce rates?

The rates of IT galas and plots are reasonable and the demand is also at that level. Hence, there is no question of reducing rates of IT galas and plots.

What are the MIDC's plans in Nashik region?

In Nashik region, we are planning to set up three textile parks - at the powerloom town Malegaon (in Nashik district), Nardana (Near Dhule) and Navapur (Near Nandurbar).

The process for the establishment of the parks is going on. We have acquired 655 hectares land at Nardana and 64 hectares land at Navapur. In Malegaon, we have already acquired 71 hectares land and also acquiring additional 30 hectares land.

What industrial growth do you see in Nashik in the next few years?

I already said that the proximity to Mumbai and Pune are the major advantage of Nashik city. Pune's development was started as the saturation limit of Mumbai was over.

Now, Pune is close to the saturation limit. Hence, there is no alternative without Nashik. Good climate, land availability, abundant water, skilled manpower are another plus points of Nashik. Hence, there will be tremendous industrial growth in Nashik in the next few years.