Last week, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) announced a number of measures, which have the potential of adding 14 lakh square meters of land to industrial estates in the state. This sounds like music to one’s ears, especially if one is an industrialist.
However, unless GIDC starts taking action on its plans, nothing will materialise. The additional industrial land is due to 7.5% reduction in the open space and another 2.5% reduction in land reserved for amenities and utilities like post office and telephone in the industrial estates.
On paper 10% additional industrial land has been created, but it does not mean that so much extra land can be allotted to industries from tomorrow. While making these announcements, Narayan M. Gad, managing director, GIDC, himself admitted that part of 14 lakh square meters of land is in hilly areas or terrains, which can’t be divided into plots for industries. Therefore, GIDC’s first step should be to analyse exactly how much additional land can be allotted to industries.
Once that is done, the next step will be to divide that land into industrial plots, take necessary approvals from departments like Town and Country Planning (TCP) and build adequate infrastructure like roads, power and water connections for the industries, which will be occupying these plots.
So far, GIDC’s track record in terms of creating infrastructure for industrial estates has not been good enough. For example, huge potholes can be seen in the road approaching Corlim Industrial Estate. Verna Industrial Estate had to wait for years to get the supply of raw water through pipelines for all its industries. Such issues have to be taken care of. Else, it won’t translate in to anything positive for the industries.
GIDC further announced that plans are afoot to ease the process of sub-lease and transfer of industrial plots. It was informed that GIDC has decided to bring in a provision, which will say that an application for sub-lease/transfer of industrial plots will be deemed approved if the applicant doesn’t get any response from GIDC within 21 days of sending the application. Action time
Unless GIDC starts taking action on its plans, nothing positive will materialise
Last week, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) announced a number of measures, which have the potential of adding 14 lakh square meters of land to industrial estates in the state. This sounds like music to one’s ears, especially if one is an industrialist.
However, unless GIDC starts taking action on its plans, nothing will materialise. The additional industrial land is due to 7.5% reduction in the open space and another 2.5% reduction in land reserved for amenities and utilities like post office and telephone in the industrial estates.
On paper 10% additional industrial land has been created, but it does not mean that so much extra land can be allotted to industries from tomorrow. While making these announcements, Narayan M. Gad, managing director, GIDC, himself admitted that part of 14 lakh square meters of land is in hilly areas or terrains, which can’t be divided into plots for industries. Therefore, GIDC’s first step should be to analyse exactly how much additional land can be allotted to industries.
Once that is done, the next step will be to divide that land into industrial plots, take necessary approvals from departments like Town and Country Planning (TCP) and build adequate infrastructure like roads, power and water connections for the industries, which will be occupying these plots.
So far, GIDC’s track record in terms of creating infrastructure for industrial estates has not been good enough. For example, huge potholes can be seen in the road approaching Corlim Industrial Estate. Verna Industrial Estate had to wait for years to get the supply of raw water through pipelines for all its industries. Such issues have to be taken care of. Else, it won’t translate in to anything positive for the industries.
GIDC further announced that plans are afoot to ease the process of sub-lease and transfer of industrial plots. It was informed that GIDC has decided to bring in a provision, which will say that an application for sub-lease/transfer of industrial plots will be deemed approved if the applicant doesn’t get any response from GIDC within 21 days of sending the application.
It sounds good, but it means that GIDC will have to work efficiently and decide upon such cases within 21 days. It is very likely that some of the applications sent to GIDC for sub-lease/transfer are not genuine. In such cases, it is far more important for GIDC to reject the application within 21 days. Otherwise, the applicant will sub-lease/transfer the industrial plot, which will be a loss to the state exchequer.
For all the measures announced last week to translate into a positive atmosphere for the industries, GIDC will have to gear up and become a modern and competent corporation.
It sounds good, but it means that GIDC will have to work efficiently and decide upon such cases within 21 days. It is very likely that some of the applications sent to GIDC for sub-lease/transfer are not genuine. In such cases, it is far more important for GIDC to reject the application within 21 days. Otherwise, the applicant will sub-lease/transfer the industrial plot, which will be a loss to the state exchequer.
For all the measures announced last week to translate into a positive atmosphere for the industries, GIDC will have to gear up and become a modern and competent corporation.
