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Uttarakhand has proposed a major revival and rebuilding plan to pump in about Rs 5,000 crore in the next three - five years in the infrastructure space, a top government official said.
"This offers a plethora of business opportunities to private players to join the government in state-rebuilding," said Dr Umakant Panwar , secretary, tourism department, at a seminar organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Monday.
Reassuring that Uttarakhand is a safe and secure investment destination despite the recent calamity, Rakesh Sharma , additional chief secretary, said,"Uttarakhand has a unique advantage in terms of readily available land banks for industrial development. With the proposed Amirtsar-Kolkata industrial corridor, this advantage would be further boosted, as this would facilitate seamless connectivity with the northern and eastern corners of the country."
Inviting the industry to the state, Sharma added: "Huge investment opportunities exist in rebuilding, construction and upgradation of infrastructure, including airstrips, ropeways, helipads, heliports and helidomes to enhance and ease connectivity within the state."
During the seminar, investors from various parts of the country showed keen interest in investing in the state. Proposals worth Rs 5,000 crore in various sectors such as telecommunications, infrastructure, skill development, and construction were discussed with senior government officials during specifically structured B2G meetings facilitated by the CII at the 2nd Invest North Conclave, a CII statement said.
Showcasing the industrial potential of the state, Shailesh Bagauli, Managing Director, State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal (SIDCUL) said,"Uttarakhand has witnessed rapid industrialisation with an estimated investment of Rs 30,000 crore in various sectors during the last decade."
"The six integrated industrial estates (IIEs), namely Pantnagar, Haridwar, Kotdwar, Selaqui, Dehradun and Sitarganj, have attracted huge investments," he added.
Highlighting the future projects of SIDCUL, Bagauli shared that plans are afoot to develop high class food parks, knowledge hubs at Kashipur spreading over 300 acres and SIDCUL Phase II at Sitarganj, and an integrated textile park in a 70-acre plot at Jaspur in the Kumaon region under the public-private partnership mode.
A multi-model logistic park is also being developed in joint venture of Concor and SIDCUL.
The government is matching the supporting infrastructure with initiatives on policy front as well as with the proposed mega infrastructure and investment policy.
Sandeep Jain, chairman, CII-Uttarakhand state council said,"Uttarakhand has emerged as one of the fastest growing states in the country with an average double digit growth rate of 12.3 per cent. The manufacturing sector has also witnessed growth at nearly 22 per cent."
He added that from an almost zero-industry region, the state has emerged as a major industrial destination in northern India.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Manu Kochhar, vice-chairman, CII Uttarakhand state council appreciated the passion and commitment with which the Uttarakhand government has proactively steered the state out of these trying times and continues to go from strength to strength.
INFRA PUSH
- Proposals worth Rs 5,000 crore in various sectors, such as telecommunications, infrastructure, skill development,and construction, discussed during the CII meet
- Plans afoot for developing high class food parks and knowledge hubs in Kashipur spreading over 300 acres and at SIDCUL Phase II in Sitarganj
- Proposal for an integrated textile park in 70 acres plot at Jaspur (Kumaon) under public-private partnership mode
- A multi-model logistic park to be developed in a joint venture of Concor and SIDCUL
- Government now matching the supporting infrastructure with initiatives on the policy front and the proposed mega infrastructure and investment policy.
