The Times Of India, 30 July 2014 Kolhappur: Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday said the Bangalore Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC) will be implemented, wherein the state government will act as a facilitator. It will help in developing a wide network of industrial pockets interlinked with road and rail connectivity, he said while speaking to newsmen during his daylong tour to Karad.
However, the city-based industries and businessmen have expressed disappointment over chief minister’s announcement.
Three major projects such as MBIC, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and Bangalore Chennai Economic Corridor are being discussed at central government level, for which foreign investors have been invited. The Japanese government is already keen on DMIC, which will benefit Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana mainly. Similarly, the BMIC is likely to benefit Maharashtra and Karnataka, which will be spread along NH-4.
The corridor would pass through Mumbai, Pune, Satara, Kolhapur, Belgaum, Dharwad, Davangere, Haveri, Chitradurga and Tumkur.
A senior industrialist from Kolhapur said, “The announcement has come in the wake of preparations for the state assembly elections. We have been requesting the state government to provide some facilities and concessions to the industries such as lower rates of electricity, as the going has been really tough.”
Surendra Tendulkar, chairman of Shiroli Manufacturers’ Association, Kolhapur, said, “The foundry business in the city is very old and known for its quality. The proposed BMIC is expected to bring more facilities and talent pool in the region so that the industry can have flourish. What we got is a statement from the chief minister but nothing on paper. There has been no development in this sector since the last few years. Unless the project is implemented, we will not be happy.”
“Before launching such a huge project, a blueprint is prepared followed by a survey and then budgetary provision. We don’t know what blueprint and survey has been carried out by the government and what exactly its plans are,” he said.
MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar said, “There is no doubt that the project is going to benefit the industries and help in creating jobs for skilled manpower. But I would like to know how much land has been acquired so far for the project. There is hardly any plan on paper, but senior leaders such as Chavan are making statements about bringing a sea change in the region.”
He claimed that necessary issues such as earmarking of land, its acquisition, plotting, proposing roads and allocation of funds for creating basic infrastructure are still at the conceptual level.
“The announcement is more political as the assembly elections are likely to be announced in the next couple of weeks,” he added.
Chandrakant Patil, senior BJP leader and MLC, said, “Time to take any concrete decision is gone. Such issues have to be discussed with the elected members, but it has not happened. The state government’s announcement has no value.”
Web: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Kolhapur/Industrialists-irked-as-Chavan-announces-Bangalore-Mumbai-Industrial-Corridor/articleshow/39260049.cms