CM Pinarayi Vijayan reopens Aluminium Industries Limited shut for 20 years

Kollam: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday opened the renovated factory of the Aluminium Industries Limited (Alind) in Kundara, which remained non-functional for the last 20 years.  “We witness a fake propaganda that the state does not provide a favourable atmosphere for industries. Those who spread it should see this. The factory will regain its might that it had twenty years back. The government will extend full support to such industries,” said Mr Vijayan. The reopening was part of government’s policy to revive closed industries. The factory will produce aluminium cables used in high voltage underground transmission lines beneficial for power distribution.

The Somany group opened it after the government agreed to its demands such as a one-time settlement of energy bills, renewal of licenses and land lease agreement and assured buying of products by the Kerala State Electricity Board. 
The company established in 1946 by Seshasayee group had initially had some 2000 jobs. When shutting in 1980, the Central Government consortium BIFR acquired it to hand over to Somany. 

The group also closed down the plant seven days after restarting in 1987 with some 500 employees. Presently, there are just 80 workers.  The second unit functioned at Kundara, which produced steel conductors for power transmission, also remains shut for over 19 years.  The government had given land to Seshasayee group for these plants on a lease agreement for 99 years. The contract was invalidated after it failed to remit the rent while it was functional.