What Kovai, Tirupur industries want?

COIMBATORE: The industrial hubs of Coimbatore and Tirupur just do not want a torrent of freebies, but are crying for the basics- better roads and drainage facility, 24x 7 power supply and water facilities.

The pathetic roads and overflowing sewage on Coimbatore and Tirupur roads are proving to be an eyesore for the industry. Says Tirupur Exporters and Manufacturers Association (TEAMA), president, M.P. Muthu Rathinam, “The Tirupur city with many industries is brimming with more than 10 lakh population. As a major export hub in the country, the city is being visited by more number of foreign buyers and the poor infrastructure facility is a major setback for such meetings.”

The demands for new link roads, over bridges, housing facilities for workers, ESIC hospital in Tirupur, creation of better entertainment places and better solid waste management system are still a dream. “These demands pending for decades should be implemented by the new government in the state,” he added.
Power cuts may have dipped in the last three years, but the rugged roads, traffic mess and unimplemented ring road projects have left industry disappointed.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore, president D. Nandakumar, said, “the Kangeyampalayam to Narasimmanaikenpalayam outer ring road project, which was dropped, should be immediately revived. Similarly, the projects of western by- pass road for connecting Palakkad road to Mettupalayam road and proposed road on the bank of Sanganur canal, should also be implemented.”

Other proposed scheme road in the Coimbatore city is also yet to take off. “The link roads for various main roads inside the city should be improved for decongesting the traffic. The widening of all the three national highways, which are crossing the city have to be widened and the Perur to Marumadhamalai road should be made as four lane road,” urged Nandakumar.

The industrial associations are also demanding construction of rail over bridges at six major crossing points for easing traffic. “The bus terminals at Thudiyalur, Kurumbapalayam, Neelambur, Sulur and Eachanari should be established for considering the increasing vehicles and traffic flow. Similarly, more truck terminals at the outskirts of the city, multi-level parking stations, subways, flyovers and elevated highways are the need of hour for the city development,” says Nandakumar.

According to M Radhakrishnan, president of Coimbatore Wet Grinders and Accessories Manufacturers Association (COWMA), Coimbatore city’s infrastructure facility lags far behind its industrial growth. “Better transportation facilities and connecting roads will ease the burden of the industries. The new government should consider the demands of the sector including to reduce power tariff, controlling of raw material costs and better supporting measures for the industries of all sector,” he says

The pump set and motor manufacturers, who are facing severe slowdown, due to stiff competition from China products and declining local demand, are also awaiting a support package from the government.

The general secretary of the South India collar shirts and Inner wear Small Scale Manufacturers Association (SISMA), in Tirupur, K.S. Babuji, said, “The ESIC hospital, apartments for workers and special schemes for new start-up business in the knitwear sector are major expectations of the hub and we expect, the candidates will look into the issues.”