In Gurugram’s non-regularised areas, factories run on empty govt promises

Over 5,000 small and medium industries in non-industrial zones of Gurugram have been awaiting regularisation and civic upgrade, even after the state government declared a scheme to regularise these in March this year.

Despite accounting for about 35 per cent of Gurugram’s industrial revenue, and providing employment to over 1 lakh workers, these industries — in Daulatabad, Kadipur, Behrampur, and Basai areas — are devoid of any economic or civic support. The lack of proper roads, frequent waterlogging, improper electricity connections, overflowing sewers, and lack of workers’ security have been the bane of industries here — most of which operate in the automobile and textile sectors.

“Look at the circle rates in our area, and the state of affairs. We live in hell! The industries are ready to invest whatever it takes to improve the areas, as it impacts our production. In the monsoons, the plight of these areas worsens — severely impacting industrial output on account of waterlogging and power failures. Transport vehicles are hesitant to enter these areas, and health issues are all too familiar for workers,” said Daulatabad Industrial Association (Gurugram) president Pawan Jindal. Despite its central location, Daulatabad has some of the worst roads in city — spotted covered in muck and sewage most of the year.

Similarly, Behrampur faces acute waterlogging, while Kadipur struggles with frequent sewer overflows.

A 2024 state survey highlighted that the non-regularisation was costing the state over 20 per cent of the revenue of industrial units set up in these areas.

In March this year, it was announced that, beginning April, factory clusters operating outside industrial zones could apply to get legal recognition, allowing them to avail economic schemes and get civic facilities. This move by the Haryana Government came after a series of meetings with association representatives.

Under the scheme, 50 or more factories set up on at least 10 acres in a single vicinity could collectively apply for regularisation. The state government estimates that there are around 2 lakh factories and manufacturing units operating outside industrial zones in Gurugram, Faridabad, Panipat, Rohtak, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Jhajjar, Bhiwani, Hisar, Karnal and Panchkula.

“These areas are home to small and micro industries, primarily the ancillary units of large-scale industries. Sadly, while they are an integral part of our industrial ecosystem, they lack basic infrastructure and much-needed support. These areas have still not been regularised and are a mess. The government announced the regularisation, but no progress in this regard has been made so far,” said Progressive Federation of Trade and Industry chairman Deepak Maini.

Aware of woes

"We are aware of the woes of units in non-regularised industrial areas, and have, thus, brought the (regularisation) scheme. The implementation is in final stages, and, very soon, these areas will get their due." — Rao Narbir Singh, Haryana Minister for Industries and Commerce