Panipat’s old industrial area lacks basic amenities

Mukesh Tandon

Industrialists in the old industrial area of the textile hub of Panipat are deprived of even basic amenities. They have been complaining of poor sanitation, choked sewers, broken roads, and non-functional streetlights there. There are nearly 300 industries operating in the old industrial area.  

Industries Minister Vipul Goel had on July 28, 2017, announced Rs 31 crore for improving infrastructure, including streetlights, roads and sewerage in the area. Though the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) claims that the order for the construction of roads has been allotted, the work has not yet started. 

Industrialists say that they pay taxes to the state government and maintenance charges to the HSIIDC but they are still deprived of even basic amenities. The condition of internal roads is very bad and potholes make transportation difficult.

“The old industrial area was developed in 1949 and all roads and sewerage were also laid at that time. It is the oldest industrial area and industries grew gradually but infrastructure was not developed accordingly,” says Vinod Dhamija, an exporter. 

“We have complained about poor sanitation, choked sewers, broken roads and drains and non-functional streetlights several times, but to no avail,” he adds. 

“Roads in the old industrial area are in a deplorable condition. Layers of charcoal on most of the roads have completely disappeared. During the rainy season, these potholed roads get flooded and industrialists and their workers face difficulties in reaching their factories," he says.

He says that dust from dilapidated roads keeps flying all the time, making vehicle driving difficult. “It is the oldest industrial area and around 300 industries are operating here. No one had taken care to develop the basic infrastructure here for many years,” says Sunil Tuli, another industrialist. 

“Most of the streetlights installed in the industrial area are non-functional. Streetlights seldom function and the area is not safe at night,” says Birbhan Singla, another industrialist. 

He says Panipat is a ‘textile hub’ and customers from abroad also come here to purchase products but they go back with not so good memories of the place, he adds. 

The government had sanctioned Rs 31 crore around two years ago for the development of infrastructure here but the work to develop roads and sewerage has not started yet. The government must speed up the work to better the infrastructure in the industrial area, says Singla.

Vinod Grover, former president of the Old Industrial Area Manufacturers’ Association, says that they had raised the matter with Industries Minister Vipul Goel and he had announced Rs 31 crore for improving infrastructure, including streetlights, sewerage and roads. 

The HSIIDC has allotted the work order for the construction of roads worth Rs 18.5 crore but tenders for the upgrade of sewers and streetlights have not been allotted yet, he says.

Vinod Katyal, Estate Manager, HSIIDC, says that the work order for the construction of roads in the old industrial area was allotted before the announcement of the election code of conduct and the contractor has to complete the project in a time frame. 

Virender, Executive Engineer, HSIIDC, says that the contractor has started mobilising machineries and raw material to start the road construction work in the old industrial area. Sewerage and storm water lines have already been laid but these will be upgraded accordingly, he adds. 

Had complained of insanitary conditions 

The old industrial area was developed in 1949 and all roads and sewerage were also laid at that time. It is the oldest industrial area and industries grew gradually but infrastructure was not developed accordingly. We have complained about poor sanitation, choked sewers, broken roads and drains and non-functional streetlights several times, but to no avail. — Vinod Dhamija, exporter

Tenders for upgrade of sewers not allotted   

We had raised the matter with Industries Minister Vipul Goel and he had announced Rs 31 crore for improving infrastructure, including streetlights, sewerage and roads. The HSIIDC has allotted the work order for the construction of roads worth Rs 18.5 crore but tenders for the upgrade of sewers and streetlights have not been allotted yet. — Vinod Grover, former president of Old Industrial Area Manufacturers’ Association

No one bothered to build basic infrastructure

It is the oldest industrial area and around 300 industries are operating here. No one has taken care to develop the basic infrastructure here for many years. — Sunil Tuli, industrialist

Streetlights non-functional

Most of the streetlights installed in the industrial area are non-functional. Streetlights seldom function and the area is not safe at night. Panipat is a ‘textile hub’ and customers from abroad also come here to purchase products but they go back with not so good memories of the place. — Birbhan Singla, Industrialist