Shujalpur: More than 10 major industrial units are being run in the Industrial Area on Akodia Road here. The government had identified land on Akodia Road and near Jethda Jod for locating industries. While the industrial area on Akodia Road is getting response, the Jethda Jod area is not being preferred by the entrepreneurs due to lack of facilities. The biggest problem here is shortage of water due to which some persons who had put up small units in the area had to shut them down. A Soya unit is also being operated from there.
The units on Akodia Road are using water from a nearby river but for want of proper roads, units, including Ruchi Soya, located in the other areas, are facing problems. Those who have got land allotted in these areas have only got basic structures built and are not operating their units from here. Some have rented out their land. A lot of land is lying vacant in the area spread over 50 bighas. The government has now allotted some of it to an ITI and the building of the institution has been constructed. Presently, some wheat flour mills, bakeries, water filtration plants and others are operating in the area. But if this place is developed and proper facilities provided, along with loans to small units, many more new units may open here. Some of them are using the land to store onions and garlic. The stakeholders say that unless proper facilities are provided, industries would not start operations here and the unemployed youth, who were hoping to get employment, would only end up disappointed.
Minister loses offices, govt loses interest
The industrial area was envisaged in 1988 by then industries minister Vidyadhar Joshi. He was an MLA from Shujalpur. He had identified land on Shujalpur-Ashta Road near Deindi Jod and at Akodia Road for the purpose. But once he ceased to be a minister, the government did not draw any attention of the Centre, which could have attracted many more units.
CM Shivraj Singh had announced Rs 3 crore for building an approach road to the industrial area. He has also said efforts will be made to deal with other problems.
Efforts would be made to start an office of the industries department here. To solve the problems being faced by the industrialists, efforts would be made at the level of the district administration as well as the government.
– Jaswant Singh Hada
MLA
