COTMA plans to set up industrial park in Coimbatore

Coimbatore, Apr 10 (KNN) The Coimbatore Tiruppur Micro Cottage Entrepreneurs Association (COTMA) is planning to set up an industrial park in Coimbatore, according to a report in The Hindu.

The primary aims of the initiative is to help the micro units operating out of rented buildings to move into own buildings outside the city.

Association president A. Sivakumar told The Hindu that a delegation of micro units met with the Minister for MSMEs T.M. Anbarasan last month and submitted a memorandum demanding relaxation in norms for micro units that were interested in promoting an industrial park jointly with Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO).

As per reports, the micro units in the city are also demanding a 100 per cent of the project cost as grant for such parks as against the 75 per cent.

“The government provided grant to industries that developed industrial estates on minimum 10 acres. But, micro units cannot afford to purchase 10 acres and hence, the Association had sought reduction of minimum land to two acres,” he said.

As per reports, last week, the government announced reduction in the minimum land required for such projects.

The Association will now purchase 2.19 acres outside Coimbatore city, register a special purpose vehicle called COTMA Industrial Park, and develop infrastructure including roads, common facility centre and drains.

It is estimated that the total project cost will work out to Rs 12 crore approximately.

“We will try to meet the Minister and State government officials again soon and seek 100 per cent grant,” he added.

The industrial park will allow 38 units that are operating out of rented buildings in Coimbatore city to move to own buildings outside the city and have access to common facilities.

At present, out of the 6,000 members of the Association, nearly 3,500 are located in rented buildings in Coimbatore city. They face challenges such as complaints from residents nearby, restrictions to operating during night hours, and pollution reports.  (KNN Bureau)