Date:15/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101569680800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Government urged to improve infrastructure in Hosur

S. Prasad

PHOTO: N. BASHKARAN

President of Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association S. Ramani Srinivasan (second right) at an interactive session organised by The Hindu and Business Line in Hosur. —

Hosur: The Hosur Small and Tiny Industries Association (HOSTIA) has urged the State Government to improve infrastructure in the industrial town to tap export potential and improve trade and commerce. Making a plea for a container yard at an interactive session of The Hindu and Business Line here recently, president of HOSTIA Ramani Srinivasan said the absence of an internal container yard and raw material depot hampered the growth of small-scale units.

On an average, more than 10,000 tonnes of steel was consumed by small-scale units every month in various forms. The finished products were shipped through 600 containers every month to Whitefield near Bangalore, he said.

With new investments such as IT Parks and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) coming up in the industrial town, the Government should set up an internal container yard and raw material depot in an expanse of 100 acres.

Industrial estate

Mr. Srinivasan wanted the Government to set up a separate industrial estate by SIDCO to cater to the demands of small-scale units.

Industrialists also expressed their dissatisfaction over the lack of adequate infrastructure in the town.

Secretary of HOSTIA V. Gnanasekaran said that a majority of the small-scale units in Hosur were dependent on the large-scale industries for their survival. The Government should set up large-scale units in Hosur to cater to the growth of small-scale units and aid in employment generation.

“Bangalore, which is bursting at its seams, is no more considered a destination for IT companies. Hence, IT majors need to switch over to the neighbouring industrial town. The Government should declare Hosur as an industrial city and put development on the fast-track mode,” said treasurer of HOSTIA K. Sampath.

It should make budgetary allocation for infrastructure upgradation, including town planning, ring road connectivity and establishment of railway line between Hosur and Jolarpet.

HOSTIA has proposed to develop a common multi-facility training and skill development centre to cater to the growth of small-scale units. The Government should allot five acres of land for this purpose, he added.