Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil
Ballari: Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil announced the establishment of a Jeans Park at Sanjeevarayanakote near Ballari, fulfilling an assurance made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has already acquired 154 acres for the project.
Sanjeevarayanakote, located about 10 km from Ballari, is strategically positioned to support the thriving jeans manufacturing sector.
Ballari is home to over 500 jeans manufacturing units that generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The Industries Department plans to provide a structured framework to transform this sector into an organised, export-oriented hub, with the support of the Textile Department.
Highlighting the global opportunities driving this initiative, Patil stated that political instability in Bangladesh has disrupted its jeans manufacturing industry, shifting investor and exporter focus toward Ballari.
“The unstable situation in Bangladesh has prompted investors and exporters to explore alternatives, and Ballari has emerged as a favorable destination. We aim to capitalise on this by attracting significant investments in the jeans sector,” he said in a press statement.
During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi had interacted with workers and owners of Ballari’s jeans manufacturing units, assuring them of establishing a Jeans Park. He later wrote to the Industries Department on August 1, 2023, urging the project’s implementation.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah included the Jeans Park project in the state budget presented in February 2024. The initiative aims to elevate Ballari’s jeans industry to international standards, fostering regional economic development, innovation, and research in the garment sector.
Patil further assured support for the existing jeans manufacturing units in and around Ballari. “Jeans are a popular choice among the youth. With industry-friendly policies and market opportunities, we are confident of taking Ballari’s jeans industry to new heights,” he said.
He also stated that with cooperation from the Textile Department, the Jeans Park would bring a significant boost to Ballari’s economy and its garment industry.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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