The industrialists in MIDC Hingna want immediate action for resolving various long pending issues for the growth and development of MIDC Hingna which needs proper attention by the MIDC officials. While after two years of COVID-19 restrictions the industries are coming back to normalcy. Still there are some issues that are posing a new set of challenges for the industries and which needs to be addressed for the growth of the MSME sector.

One of the important issues that needs to be looked into is the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) project which is required for safely disposing off the effluents generated by the industries of MIDC Hingna. Industries in MIDC Hingna consists of various types of industries and their effluent generation also varies depending on the products and processes. While some of the industries have made their own ETP arrangements, but there are still a significant number of industries who would be benefitted if a CETP is established in MIDC Hingna Industrial Area, sources on the condition of anonymity said.

Even after passage of many years, the project is still in limbo mainly due to the dilly-dallying of the concerned stakeholders and there has been a significant upward revision in the project cost.

Similarly, with the absence of garbage management system in MIDC Hingnathere is rampant garbage dumping and burning at various places in the industrial area. This could lead to several health issues and also increasing risk of fires. A proper garbage collection, segregation, treatment and disposal system for MIDC Hingna Industrial Area has been a long-standing demand of the industrialists and is very much needed on priority. The dumping of garbage on open plots and in nullahs is an open invitation for diseases to spread. Keeping in line with nations clarion call of ‘Swacchha Bharat Abhiyaan’ the issue should be strictly addressed, sources said.

Apart from this, the issue of encroachments has become a big menace for industries as several scrap dealers, roadside stalls, chicken shops, and several other shops along Hingna and Wadi areas have cropped up. It has also been observed that some shops are involved in theft, thereby increasing the difficulty for industries in keeping their materials safe.

Anti-encroachment drives were carried out previously with active support from MIDC and Police Department but as in other cases, after some days, the encroachments along the roads were back. It is now being seen that these encroachments are increasing by the day and in spite of several complaints from the industry members, there seems to be no respite.

Sources also said that the issue of steep Ready Reckoner (RR) rates have made it very difficult for industrialists. Currently, around 200 to 300 industrial units in MIDC Hingna are closed and due to the exorbitant RR rates as they are not in a position to transfer their units to new industries which is hampering new investments, sources added.

The standard rate of MIDC is Rs 2550/sq.m., whereas the RR rate is close to Rs 8000/sq.m., which is more than three times the MIDC rates.

These issues if properly resolved will accelerate the growth of the industrial area and also benefit the employees working in MIDC Hingna and also residing in the neighbourhood, sources said.