3 decades on, Goindwal Sahib awaits industrial complex

Planned and inaugurated with much fanfare more than three decades ago, the successive governments have failed to materialise the country’s first project of establishing an Industrial Nucleus Complex in Goindwal Sahib in Tarn Taran.

The first of its kind complex was set up by the Union Government with special attention of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1980. The complex was set up with a master plan to make it as the fourth city of the state after Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar with a population of five lakh in a duration of 20 years.

The site was chosen for it being a suitable place, near the bank of Beas river. The complex was to be expanded in 6,000 acres of land in 20 years under four phases. The main aim of the complex was to disperse industries in the backward and isolated areas based on the concept of development of ancillary units around the major nucleus plants. 

At the initial stage, much scope was seen for the development of the complex and the industry as the BHEL was the first to establish its unit here for manufacturing of industrial valves and the same time ancillary units, too, came in Tarn Taran. The state government provided single window service by forming Goindwal Industrial Investment Corporation (GIICO) a separate and independent institution for loans facility and loans were given to the entrepreneurs liberally. Here was an industrial unit named Bawa Shoe established by an international industrialist, Bawa Paramjit Singh where thousands of youngsters were given direct jobs. 

Spinning mills under the cooperative sector was also established here. In 1980, 475 acres of land was acquired in the first phase and after eight years 434 acres more was acquired under the second phase. Meanwhile, the established units started to close their business during the rise of militancy. Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime Minister, had come here to inaugurate Paper Mills to be set up by the Punjab Agro. 

Now, the Centre as well as the state has forgotten its plans and promises regarding the complex. In August 1998, the complex was merged into Punjab Small Scale Industries and Export Corporation and the GIICO, too, was done away with. The complex had become a focal point. As many as 80 units have been locked by the Punjab Financial Corporation (PFC) from time to time. The state government had established a thermal plant here with the assistance of GVK seven years ago. It, too, has almost stopped functioning. The state government had also planned to set up a modern jail complex here, which has been hanging fire for long.

Open air gym 

Residents, especially children of the town, are a happy lot since the establishment of an open air gym and play station here. The government has come up with these at the local Gandhi Municipal Park, a popular place for residents to have morning or evening walk and enjoy the essence of nature. Dr Dharamveer Agnihotri, MLA, inaugurated the gym and the park in presence of residents. The Municipal Council has deputed an employee to take care of the machinery here.