Need to check slum encroachments at industrial estates near Hyderabad

MIn the past, we had autonomy in governing our jurisdiction. Now with dependence on TSIIC, general environment of these industries is not in a good condition. We want the property tax paid by us to benefit us on lines of facility integration - Vanitha Datla, MD, Elico Limited

Hyderabad: The overlapping of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area with that of industrial estate has brought basti’s (slum dwellers) on encroached lands in proximity of industries posing safety and security risk for women workers, says Vanitha Datla, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director, Elico Limited. Most of the industrial estates in the city and on the outskirts of Hyderabad are governed by IALA (Industrial Association Local Authority), which comes under Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC). Datla told Bizz Buzz that for long various industry associations have sent out representations to TSIIC which is yet to be addressed.

She pointed out, “In the past, we had autonomy in governing our jurisdiction. The property taxes paid by industries used to enter our coffer where we could allocate that funding for upkeep of roads, installation of CCTV, and street lights. Now with dependence on TSIIC, general environment of these industries is not in a good condition. We want the property tax paid by us to benefit us on lines of facility integration.”

Listing infrastructure updates she said that the roads and footpaths are not in good condition, sewage lines have to be updated, defined parking area for visitors has to be created, all industrial estates do not have fire stations for handling emergencies, and drinking water connection to industries remains amiss.

While Datla is buoyant about Telangana Government’s focus on inviting new investors to set up industries at the new industrial parks of the State, she is concerned about the challenges faced by existing industries. “Another major problem we are facing is encroachment of land by slum dwellers. Because of basti’s overlapping in the industrial areas many rogues keep hanging around which is security challenge for women working in these industries. We need to cordon off industrial estate with a boundary and central gate to monitor people,” she suggested.

Highlighting the plight of Balanagar industrial area Datla informed that the road leading to the industrial area opens through Moosapet vegetable market which is set up on the main road rather than being placed at designated areas. She questions, “Inside our campus we maintain the environment but what about the space beyond it. We have foreigners visiting our facility. While bringing them through the pathetic approach road, have we thought of the impression that the governing bodies are leaving behind in the minds of these international visitors?”