Aurangabad, May 14:
Due to two consecutive lockdowns since last year, the investments in the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) have stalled. The process of allotment of plots to the industries in this industrial estate has been going on for the last three-four years. However, the industries department has been facing many difficulties in marketing the project in order to ensure adequate investment.
Till date, 10-12 industries have started production in the Shendra phase including Hyosung and Perkins. Recently, plots have been allotted to 61 industries, Novoliptesk Steel and Fuji SilverTech. The Bidkin industrial phase, on the other hand, has seen a lot of infrastructure work done, but there is no anchor project yet. The board of directors of Aurangabad Industrial Township Limited (AITL) approved the construction of a food park in the Bidkin industrial belt five months ago. This was followed by the process of inviting food processing industries from the country and abroad. In the meantime, the process has stalled again as corona infection have been on the rise. The lockdown has made it difficult to market investments in DMIC, said Sanjay Katkar, joint managing director, AITL. The MIDC also approved the proposal to provide connectivity to Samruddhi expressway near Shendra industrial estate to DMIC. Accordingly, a fund of about Rs 41 crore was transferred to MSRDC. However, meetings with farmers for land acquisition cannot be held due to lockdown. As a result, the work of connectivity has also stalled, said Katkar.
Speed up the process after lockdown
Invitations have been extended to industries to invest in DMIC, but corona has been making it difficult for entrepreneurs to come and inspect the site since last year. Even now the process is stalled due to lockdown. The food park proposal was approved. The process has gained momentum. Once the lockdown is over, the process will be sped up again, said Katkar.