Industrial growth: Wait on for one giant leap

Warangal: Warangal's wait for one giant leap towards industrial development remained a mirage over the decades notwithstanding a slew of proposals announced by the State Government to propel the economic growth of the land that still basks in the glory of Kakatiyas.

Warangal, which had a major industry like Azam Jahi Mills (now defunct) that provided livelihood to nearly 10,000 people way back in the mid-1930s, never prospered into an industrial hub, this despite having abundant mineral resources like coal, granite, laterite, dolomite, iron ore and quartz.

This apart the region, which embellishes sculptural and cultural splendour of Kakatiya and Jainism, has a huge scope to develop tourism industry.

The region's economy is predominantly based on agriculture, its ancillary, service sector and small scale industries. The Warangal Urban district has 1,366 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) established with an investment of Rs 391.66 crore and providing direct employment to 5,853 people. The breakup: 138 agro-based, 102 food-based, 204 mineral-based, 108 plastic-based, 12 paper-based, 16 textile-based, 265 wood-based and 521 general engineering-based industries.

When it comes to the Large and Medium Enterprises, the Urban district has just five industries with an investment of Rs 145.37 crore, providing direct employment to nearly 427 people. These industries' line of activity is rice brawn oil, cotton seed oil, dairy products and solar power.

The district industrial clusters: Rampur, Madikonda: Common facilities for granite cutting and polishing; Enumamula: Cold storages and Tanneries; Warangal city: Durries.

The region has vast industrial potential if focused on Spices, Granites, Seed Processing, Cotton Seed Oil. Stone Crushers. There is also scope for industry-related infrastructure like cold storages, godowns etc.

As far as the infrastructure is concerned, the TSIIC has notified nearly 614 acres for industries. Warangal industrial park (IP) 25 acres; KAN Warangal 18 acres; IDA Rampur 189 acres; IP Madikonda 175 acres; IT-SEZ Madikonda 45 acres and Textile Park Madikonda 161 acres. This apart, TSIIC also identified 85 acres at Bheemaram for IT Park. It may not be on the expected lines, but Warangal made major strides in the IT industry.

The Cyient, a global engineering and digital solutions provider, has started its operations from the IT Incubation Centre established by the TSIIC in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Madikonda in January 2017. The Cyient, which now has a 60,000 sq. ft built-up area in the SEZ, currently employs 200 engineers. The company is likely to hire another 600 in a phased manner with most of the talent being sourced locally.

Giving more fillip to the industry, the other IT major - Tech Mahindra – has also come forward to open its facility. This apart, the Quadrant Resource, a product design and development company, has also decided to set up its facility in the SEZ.

Touted as fibre-to-fabric (end-to-end) facility, the mega textile park, estimated to be developed at a cost of Rs 1,552 crore, is much bigger than the Azam Jahi Mills. The TS Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) acquired 1,200 acres spread across Sangem and Geesugonda mandals for the park.

It's been more than three years since the foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, however, the much-hyped textile cluster, which targeted to generate direct and indirect employment to more than 10,000 people, is yet to bear fruit.

Speaking to The Hans India, a top TSIIC official said, "Work on internal roads and power lines is completed. Efforts are on to ensure drinking water supply through Mission Bhagiratha. A dedicated pipeline will be laid from Chalivagu to address the needs of industrial waters."

Citing delay in the progress due to coronavirus pandemic, he said that the Korean Textile major Youngone Corporation has already set up its office in Hyderabad. The Youngone Corporation which proposes to invest Rs 1,000 crore to set up manufacturing units of synthetic jackets, boots, track suits and other apparel used in trekking was allotted 290 acres.

Ganesha Ecopet Private Limited, manufacturer of polyester staple fibre, has been allotted 50 acres and is likely to invest Rs 500 crore, the official said.

On the funds front, the State government has no mention about the mega textile park last year. Although the State has been urging the Centre to include textile park in the Union budget allocations, there was no response.