Delay in textile park execution.

The much-awaited Textile Park at Padalur on the Tiruchi - Chennai National Highway is being delayed and entrepreneurs have been demanding its expeditious execution on a war-footing.

The park proposal, mooted by the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, evoked overwhelming response from a large number of entrepreneurs not only in the district but also those from adjoining districts, with as many as 31 entrepreneurs from different parts of the state expressing interest to set up their units.

According to sources, a meeting of entrepreneurs with adequate experience in making ready-made garments, was convened here about six months ago and their views on infrastructure was sought.

It was only a couple of years ago that the implementation of the proposal gained momentum in the form of identification of a site for the project. The proposal had suffered a series of hurdles on identification of site till the finalisation of a site at the junction of the Padalur and Irur panchayats on 40.35 hectares — 36.79 hectares of government poramboke land in the Padalur village and 3.56 hectares government poramboke land in Irur village. The cooperation extended by the Padalur village panchayat was crucial for materialisation of the proposal. But this cooperation is not fully utilised yet. “It took two years for identifying the site. Even two years after identifying the site, the work is yet to be executed in full swing,” says one of the entrepreneurs.

The interest being shown by the entrepreneurs can be gauged from the fact that some of them had even preferred to go in for long lease of even three sheds to accommodate their goods.

The park, promoted by State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT), aims at producing export-oriented garments. No dyeing activity would be taken up for protecting the environment and ground water potential. The State government had accorded permission to the Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles for the formation of the textile park. The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board would ensure adequate water supply to the Textile park. The site is about 1 km away from the National Highway. To access the site, a road is being laid now.

Official sources clarify that the work was delayed due to various administrative reasons. It would be taken up on a war-footing in course of time.

THE HINDU