The SIPCOT industrial estate at Irungattukottai near Sriperumbudur, dominated by the Hyundai car manufacturing unit, remains the showcase industrial estate of the State. But the numerous entrepreneurs in the complex have concluded that good roads alone are not enough for a good industrial estate. Several other civic amenities are also required to help attract new entrepreneurs.
The estate, located on the Chennai Bangalore Highway, is spread over more than 1,300 acres and has many industrial units including Schwing Stetter, Addison, Oerlikon Balzers India and Asahi. The sprawling industrial unit is well paved with roads but needs regular water supply and other amenities including desilting of stormwater drains that are covered with wild bushes blocking the flow of rainwater.
A member of the SIPCOT Irungattukottai Manufacturers Association (SIMA) said the need of the hour was better public transport. As over 40,000 employees work in the estate, it would be better if the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) operates at least small buses during peak hours from nearby bus termini like Iyyappanthangal, Poonamallee and Nazarathpet, he added.
The industrial owners are concerned that the parking of hundreds of heavy vehicles could damage the newly paved roads. The parking also causes traffic bottlenecks. To resolve this, they want SIPCOT to speed up the truck terminal work.
The factory owners also blame the absence of flyovers near Nazarathpet and the presence of cattle on the road for the traffic congestion.
Owners are unhappy that the skill development centre constructed by SIPCOT is unutilised. A member of SIMA said a proposal to re-launch the facility is still pending with SIPCOT. The factory owners also want a checkpost to ensure the safety of the workers and an ESI dispensary on the estate.
