Wary of policy fallout, industrial bodies clamour for slew of sops

Hyderabad: Many of the Industry Associations have reservations over the virtual diktat to relocate industrial units outside the Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Representatives from the Uppal Industrial Area have appealed to the government to reduce the conversion charges. Jeedimetla Industrial Area representatives have demanded that, even without subsidies, the government should allocate land and develop industrial zones between the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and the Regional Ring Road (RRR).

The Cherlapally Industries Association representatives are insisting that no additional charges be imposed for shifting existing equipment related utilities like electricity and water to new industrial locations beyond the ORR. Cherlapally Industries Association president D Srinivas Reddy said that many of the industries had purchased their land parcels around 30 years ago and possess valid sale deeds. Conversion charges have been fixed at rates ranging between 30 per cent and 50 per cent, depending on the road width. He has appealed that the government should develop Industrial Parks beyond the ORR under the Undeveloped Land (UDL) Policy and provide necessary infrastructure, including housing facilities for workers.

The industrial estate representatives have requested the authorities to hold discussions with all industrial associations within the ORR to accelerate the implementation of the HILT Policy. The representatives said that they had poured out their woes before the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the HILT Policy headed by Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka several times and hence were hopeful of a positive response to their demands before the deadline to submit applications -- October 31 this year.

The objective of the government to shift polluting industries outside the ORR is welcome, but the grievances of the companies on the block should be taken into consideration and resolved in a planned manner.

Revised market value of the lands at the existing industrial estates upon relocation of the units is also one of the major issues to be resolved so that the owners would get some relief from the financial burden and be in a position to sell the lands without any delay for multi-utility purposes, mainly the development of residential colonies in the heart of Hyderabad city.

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Afzal Patan Babu

Afzal Patan Babu