Rs 200 crore glove industry in Cochin Export Processing Zone struggles

KOCHI: The Rs 200-crore gloves industry in the Cochin Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) at Kakkanad has been struggling for survival in the past 12 months due the non-availability of LNG for its fuel requirements. The industry which employs over 3,000 persons is concerned over the delay in extending the LNG pipeline network of Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt Ltd to CEPZ due to the PWD denying permission for digging up roads to lay the pipeline. CEPZ industry association president K.K. Pillai told this newspaper on Thursday that the association had submitted several representations to the government for speeding up the clearance. The glove units have been forced to change over to LNG following a decision taken by the Union government in January that such units should not use engine oil or other polluting substances as fuel stock. “The units have invested nearly Rs 10 crore for changeover to LNG and the same has been lying idle for the past many months,” he said.

According to Mr Pillai, the project requires less than 3 km pipeline and the same can be extended from Padamugal area to the CEPZ campus. The pipeline network has reached up to the satellite colony. The promoters of the Indian Oil-Adani Gas and the CEPZ industrial association have submitted several representations to the government in this regard during the past six months. “I request the Chief Minister and the PWD minister to intervene in the matter and give the necessary orders for digging up the roads for pipe-laying,” Mr Pillai said. If the permission is granted, the work can be completed in two weeks, he added.
The PWD has issued a moratorium on digging up roads during the monsoon season and the PWD authorities concerned are invoking the same for denying permission for the project.