Thursday 28 Mar 2024

No silver lining for Pilerne estate even after 25 years

Despite being set up for many years, Pilerne Industrial Estate is suffering from chronic issues of water shortage and voltage fluctuations, which have made it very difficult for industries to operate within its precincts, finds out Anil Shankhwalkar

Anil Shankhwalkar | AUGUST 14, 2017, 10:18 AM IST

 


The Pilerne Industrial Estate (PIE) marks its silver jubilee this year, but there has been little to cheer for industries in the estate given the major infrastructure problems confronting them for the last 25 years.
Despite several representations made to the government, the estate has faced severe water and electricity problems, with hardly any significant improvement over the years.
Located along the border of Saligao, the estate is one of the major industrial estates in the State, providing employment to an estimated 8,000 people. Spread across an area of 4.9 lakh square metres, the it consists of 110 plots, but data with the Goa Industrial Development Corporation has revealed that only 73 industrial units operate here.
Incidentally, 20 of them are marble and granite units which were set up despite strong concerns raised by the Pilerne Industries Association (PIA). The remaining 53 units include pharmaceuticals, diamond-studded gold jewellery, optical lenses, perfumes, packaging material, fibre glass products, modular furniture, readymade garments, bakery products, spices and ice creams.
Acute water shortage and erratic power supply are two of the biggest problems affecting the estate.
The estate has been facing acute water shortage since its inception. The existing water pipeline was laid to this industrial estate almost 23 years ago and has not been upgraded to meet the growing demands of the industries.
According to members of PIA, industrial units receive water supply for barely an hour each day and receive no water on Sundays and holidays, as the person deputed by the PWD does not release water to the estate. "This has made it difficult for industries to manage their operations. They are compelled to procure water from private players at an exorbitant cost, which can cost as much as Rs 500 per tanker."
"Such has been the demand for water that a healthcare unit has been forced to procure 20 water tankers per day despite having a tube well," complained one PIA member.
Erratic electricity has been another problem affecting the estate. The PIA members informed that the supply lines are very vulnerable, while power failures and voltage fluctuations are frequent and at times, voltage fluctuates from 180 volts to 400 volts.
"Some industrial units have modern sophisticated electronic equipments which require constant voltage and severe fluctuations damage their equipment," said another industrial estate owner.
"To make matter worse, there is load shedding in March, April and May, leaving our industries without power supply from 6.30 pm to 2.30 am during these three months. Since power supply is irregular, most factories have been forced to install generators in their premises to ensure uninterrupted power supply," he added.
The PIA has also expressed dismay over the existing canteen in the industrial estate, claiming that though the canteen contractor pays a sizeable rent of about Rs 20,000 per month, the canteen has been poorly maintained.


NOTHING TO CHEER N INFRA FRONT

Inadequate road access. The PIA claims that existing roads via Saligao and Verem-Pilerne are very narrow and as a result large trucks and containers are reluctant to travel to the industrial estate. The PIA has demanded a bypass road from Sangolda (Gautam Hotel) to the estate on a priority basis
In the absence of a designated area for parking of trucks, these are found parked along the main road causing obstruction to other traffic
Lack of fencing around the industrial area allows herds of stray cattle to enter the estate. Animals squat on the main road, block movement of vehicles and mess the roads with dung
There are no banks, ATMs, stationary shops and photocopying facilities in the estate
There are no public transport facilities available after 7.30 pm.


Industries set up in open
space in violation of law
Despite the fact that the Pilerne Industrial Estate has several plots lying vacant, a number of industries have been set up in open spaces at the estate.
Replying to a question tabled by Ponda MLA Ravi Naik during the monsoon session of the assembly, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar informed that 13 entrepreneurs have been allotted plots in open space in industrial estates across the State. Incidentally, nine of them are located at the Pilerne Industrial Estate alone.
As per the law, all industrial estates are required to keep 15% of their overall area as open. This is to ensure good working conditions for people working in industrial areas. Due to this, industries are discouraged to utilise the open spaces in industrial estates.


According to Parrikar, the estate has 13.26% open space, which is below the 15% open space required by law.

Out of the 73 establishments, 20 are marble and granite units which were set up despite strong concerns raised by the Pilerne Industries Association (PIA)


Located along the border of Saligao, the estate is one of the major industrial estates in the State, providing employment to an estimated 8,000 people

The remaining 53 units include pharmaceuticals, diamond-studded gold jewellery, optical lenses, perfumes, packaging material, fibre glass products, modular furniture, readymade garments, bakery products, spices and ice creams

Spread across an area of 4.9 lakh square metres, it consists of 110 plots, but data with the Goa Industrial Development Corporation has revealed that only 73 industrial units operate here

Share this