IT is the industrial hub of Punjab. But the first thing that hits you when you enter the city of Ludhiana is the traffic congestion. Add to that the erratic power supply and pollution and you can complete the picture of a city bursting at its seams. As canvassing for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls pick up, industry is looking at political candidates to address the infrastructure issues plaguing this bustling parliamentary constituency.
Putting forth some facts about city SC Ralhan, regional chairman, Engineering Export Promotion Council of India, said, ?Ludhiana is famous for its bicycle and bicycle components industry, hosiery goods, sewing machines, machine tools and auto components industry. The total business generated by these stand at Rs 20,000 crore, of which Rs 8,000 comes from exports. Despite its contribution to the country?s economy, the issues of poor road conditions, rising traffic congestion and unplanned growth have not been addressed by any political party. Promises are made during elections, but they remain promises only.?
Supporting Rahlan?s views, Knitwear Club president Vinod Thapar, says, ?Ludhiana accounts for nearly 90% of the country?s woolen hosiery business and it is a Rs 7,000-Rs 10,000 crore industry today. The Ludhiana textile industry has about 10,000 units, and employs more than 5,00,000 skilled workers. But problems like unplanned road infrastructure and poor connectivity remain unaddressed. The erratic power supply to industry is also worrisome. We need a candidate who can represent Ludhiana in the Lok Sabha and take up the cause of modernization.?
Rajnish Ahuja, president, Focal Point Industries Association, urged the issue of red-tapism should be addressed without further ado as it stands in the way of development. Talking about the problems being faced by SME sector of Ludhiana, PD Sharma, president, Apex Chamber of Commerce, Punjab, said, ?There are about 10,000 small and medium enterprises in Ludhiana, of which 3,000 units are performing very well. The total workforce employed in the SME sector is around 7,00,000. The sector is reeling under a credit crunch and many units are on the verge of closure. There are other problems?that have to do with marketing and the availability of raw material. But till date, not even a single MP has spoken for the SME sector. The industry is surviving only on its entrepreneurial spirit.?
It may be mentioned here that Ludhiana is also known as the pollution capital of Punjab and the Central Pollution Control Board has already declared Ludhiana ?highly critical?. Voicing concern over the pollution level, noted environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, who has been urged to help clean Buddha Nullah, running through the city, said, ?The discharge of industrial waste into the nullah, which meets and pollutes the Sutlej river, is a major health hazard. We have urged the political parties to induct environment as an agenda in their poll manifestos.? On their part, political candidates contesting from Ludhiana are flaunting their plans to revive the city.
Talking to FE, Congress candidate from the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency, Manish Tiwari, said, ?This city requires multi-pronged economic stimulus. If our party wins the elections, then I will approach the central government for economic package of Rs 10,000 crore for the development of this city. Besides the issues of traffic congestion, pollution and creating good infrastructure will certainly be addressed. There is a need to attract capital investment into the city and we will surely try to bring big corporate houses here.?
Gurcharan Singh Galib, SAD-BJP candidate for from Ludhiana, said, ?The government had roped in Unido to come up with industrial policy, which is ready; but we could not implement it due to the elections. The policy has addressed various industrial issues and has introduced many investor friendly procedures. If we come to power, our main focus will be to develop infrastructure in terms of roads, sewerage systems, water supply, streetlights and the problem of pollution. Apart from this the VAT refund, which has not been given by the state government to many industrialists, will be paid immediately. Punjab?s industry has been hit by the tax incentives offered by neighboring states. We need better representation at the central level.?