Park for non-polluting companies near Chennai

CHENNAI: The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu plans to set up a park for non-polluting industries like automobile and electronic manufacturing at Manallur on the outskirts of Chennai. The decision comes months after the Union environment ministry refused clearance for chemical industries at the spot.
The upcoming industrial park near Gummidipoondi, about 57km north of Chennai, had already been identified for establishing e-vehicle park over 300 acres of the 690 acres under possession of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT). It has invited consultants to prepare a master plan and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the purpose.
About 10% of the total land in the facility will be earmarked for red industries to produce ancillary components for larger companies on the campus. SIPCOT has approached the Centre for approval to put Manallur, a much-delayed industrial park that has not taken shape for more than a decade since it was conceived, into operation. The industrial park will emerge as the largest of SIPCOT’s facilities in Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Currently, Oragadam in Kancheepuram district, spread over 2,730 acres, is the single largest among the 12 industrial parks and special economic zones (SEZs) in the three neighbouring districts.
The Tiruvallur district administration is in the process of transferring about 1,250 acres of land at Manallur to SIPCOT, according to industries department officials said. “This is phase one and we are expecting the land transfer in a couple of months from the district administration. In fact, the entire 5,000 acres that are to be given to SIPCOT are available with the district authorities,” a senior official said.
Priority is being given for automobile and electronics production on the lines of Sri City multiproduct Special Economic Zone and electronics manufacturing cluster in neighbouring AP. “Whatever can be manufactured there (Sri City) can also done in our industrial park,” the official added.
Early this year, the expert appraisal committee of the Union environment ministry had refused to permit chemical industries at Manallur since the proposal included accommodating units manufacturing synthetic organic chemicals and integrated paint industries. Pointing out that the Pulicat lake wildlife sanctuary was located in the vicinity and emphasising on protection of ground and surface water, the committee concluded that the site was not suitable for chemical industries. According to industries department sources, the ministry has been approached again. “We are confident of obtaining their approval soon,” the official said.
It may be recalled that the industrial park at Manallur began in 2009, but remained idle till last year.