Amenities missing in Panipat’s textile hub

Mukesh Tandon

Industrialists in the textile hub of Panipat are deprived of even basic amenities while the state government claims to have provided better infrastructure to industries. They have been complaining of poor sanitation, choked sewers, broken roads, non-functional streetlights and rising crime. 

They say they pay taxes to the government but are still deprived of even basic facilities. Most of the roads in industrial areas in Sector 29 part-1 and part-2, especially those connecting internal areas, are in a pitiable condition. These roads have developed potholes, posing the threat of accidents.

Incidents of snatching, loot and assault are on the rise in these industrial areas. Reports of miscreants looting factory workers are received regularly. A businessman was also murdered in Sector 29 last year while robberies are a routine. 

Members of the Industrial Estate Association, led by its president Shree Bhagwan Aggarwal, had met Industry Minister Vipul Goyal and Urban Local Bodies Minister Kavita Jain and apprised them about the poor condition of roads in Sector 29 part-1 industrial area. 

Aggarwal says a budget of Rs 9.28 crore for the construction of internal roads in Sector 29 part-1 under the State Industrial Infrastructure Development Scheme (SIIDS) of the Central Government was passed in July last year. The project was allotted to a private contractor but the work could not be started due to the lethargic attitude of Municipal Corporation (MC) officials.

Besides, a budget of Rs 2.83 crore was also passed for the construction of a storm water drainage system in Sector 29 part-1. The project was allotted to a private company but the work on it is yet to start, he adds. 

 Sanjeev Garg, general secretary of the association, says, “Streetlights have not been functioning for a long time. We have met the Municipal Commissioner and other officers regarding our problems and they have sought some time to rectify the streetlights”. 

“The condition of internal roads in Sector 29 part-1 is pathetic. The roads are full of potholes, making transportation difficult. Because of the poor roads, I use the Sector 29 part-2 road to reach my factory,” says Garg.

Besides, the sewerage in Sector 29 part-1 always remained choked. It was to be connected with the sewerage in Sector 29 part-2 but due to some technical reasons, it has not been done. As a result, dirty water flows onto roads, he adds.

Industrialists in Sector 29 part-2, which is known as the dyeing unit sector, are also facing problems in the absence of basic amenities. 

The Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) (then HUDA) had established Sector 29 part-2 in 2003 especially for dyeing units. As many as 614 plots have been allotted to industrialists in the sector and 300 dyeing units are operating there. 

Untreated water containing highly hazardous chemicals and colours discharged from dyeing units flows onto roads in Sector 29 part-2 and into the green belt. All old sewer lines are choked. The laying of a new sewerage is going on at a slow pace. 

Bheem Rana, president of the Panipat Dyers’ Association, claims that due to the tireless efforts of the members of the association a few big development works of around Rs 175 crore have been started in Sector 29 part-2. But the slow progress of the development works is causing problems to industrialists and labourers, he adds.

“Not even one streetlight in Sector 29 part-2 is functional. I have been raising this issue at every meeting with the district administration for the last 17 months but no one is bothered,” he says. 

 Besides, the main common effluent treatment plant (CETP) road is also in a neglected condition. No budget has been passed for it, adds Rana. 

Manish Aggarwal, general secretary of the Haryana Chamber of Commerce, Panipat chapter, says, “We have apprised the district administration about the problems in the industrial areas, including dilapidated roads, non-functional streetlights and a lack of conveyance, several times, but to no avail”.

Slow progress of development projects

A budget of Rs 9.28 crore for the construction of internal roads in Sector 29 part-1 under the State Industrial Infrastructure Development Scheme of the Central Government was passed in July last year. The project was allotted to a private contractor but the work could not be started due to the lethargic attitude of MC officials. —Shree Bhagwan Aggarwal, president of Industrial Estate Association

Streetlights non-functional for long

Not even one streetlight in Sector 29 part-2 industrial area is functional. I have been raising this issue at every meeting with the district administration for the last 17 months but no one is bothered.Besides, the main common effluent treatment plant (CETP) road is also in a neglected condition. No budget has been passed for it. —Bheem Rana, president of Panipat Dyers’ Association