Taking exception to lack of basic infrastructure required for industries to start functioning, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday directed the Delhi State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) and other agencies to take immediate remedial steps for ease of doing business. This order was also meant for Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD)and Delhi Development Authority(DDA).
Giving details here, officials said these directions from Saxena came following a meeting on 13.10.2023 wherein he reviewed the non-operationalization of the industrial rehabilitation at identified sites of DSIIDC, mostly in North-West Delhi. He also recently visited the area and took stock of situation prevailing in the Industrial Areas of Narela, Bhorgarh and Bawana. The LG was visibly displeased that no up-gradationwork has been undertaken at the Bhorgarh Industrial area of North Delhi for the last 10 years and only a handful of units were functional out of the 3917 plots carved out in the area, officials said.
Saxena expressed shock that the situation in last 26 years since 1996,when the Supreme Court ordered for relocation of industries in non-conforming areas to designated industrial areas, have remained static and even the basic things were out of place. The drains in the industrial areas were choked and not properly maintained and even the roads and streets needed massive repair and restoration work, with even the streetlights yet to be installed.
In such a situation, the LG wondered, how could one expect FDI in the industrial areas of the National Capital, when given the state of affairs, even domestic industries on relocation were not able to resume work. Saxena also directed the private power distribution company to do away with the hanging wires, particularly in the Narela Industrial area.
The Association of Industry owners in Bawana drew his attention towards several illegal structures that have come up in the area and the building bye-laws being violated by certain plot allottees. This they said would have detrimental impact in case of fire or other accidents. The LG also visited the Effluent Treatment Plants in Narela and Bawana.
During his inspection, Saxena set a deadline of November 15 for the authorities concerned, including the DDA, MCD and others to carry out the cleanliness, repair of roads, completion of sewerage work and availability of power in Narela, Bhorgarh and Bawana Industrial areas. The LG made it clear that strict action would be taken if the deadline of November 15 is not adhered with, officials said.
Saxena emphasized that repair and maintenance should be carried out in a manner that prevents water logging in future and warned that the cleaning being undertaken should not be superficial. He laid stress on the green belt at the periphery of the area being maintained fully and not only on paper. All necessary actions should be taken to make the area free from dust, Saxena added.
