Industrial development of uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is one of the fastest growing states in India, thanks to the massive growth in capital investments arising from conducive industrial policy and generous tax benefits. The state is situated in the foothills of Himalayas. The presence of several hill stations, wildlife parks, pilgrimage places and trekking routes make Uttarakhand an attractive tourist destination. Uttarakhand is a well-renowned religious and wildlife tourism destination. About 21 new places in Uttarakhand that have the potential to become major tourist destinations. These places include Jageshwar, Baijnath, Saat Taal, Bhimtal, Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Chakori, Someshwar, Pithoragarh, Chakrata, Roopkund, Hanaul, Anson Barrage, Harshil, Dhanaulti and Dayara meadow. Jauljiwi in Kumaon and Tons in Garhwal division are planned to be developed as adventure tourism destinations.
Uttarakhand is being developed as an ‘energy state’ to tap the hydropower electric potential of over 25,000 MW. As of February 2020, the state had total installed power generation capacity of 3,549.68 MW. Hydro (renewable) power contributed 1,876.89 MW to the total installed power generation capacity of the state, followed by thermal power with a contribution of 980.83 MW and 660.21 MW from renewable sources. Of the total installed power generation capacity, state utilities accounted for the largest share of 1,320.02 MW, followed by 1,291.05 MW under private utilities and 938.61 MW under central utilities.
Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote Uttarakhand as an investment destination are:
- With Uttarakhand emerging as a hot tourist and industrial destination, the state government is focusing on upgrading the Jolly Grant airport as an international airport, in coordination with Airports Authority of India.
- In 2019-20, the work of 120 MW Byasi hydro power project is expected to be completed.
- Since Investors Summit of October 2018, the state received Rs 17,246 crore investment and generated around 45,000 jobs in various sectors.
- In July 2019, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) entered in agreement to set up a rail-based logistics terminal at Haridwar.
- In 2019, the merger of the Uttarakhand Special Area Development Authority (SADA) with the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) was approved.
- Uttarakhand government to introduce mobile caravans or motor homes equipped with all facilities available in a house to attract tourist.
- Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 32 habitations have been provided connectivity by completing the construction work on 598 km long roads, spending Rs 720 crore (US$ 103.02 million) in 2018-19 and Rs 900 crore (US$ 128.77 million) have been allocated for 2019-20.
- The state government has started a service called e-Aushadhi Yojna in order to maintain continuous supply and availability of medicines and tele-radiology service has been started by the Government to accelerate the tests and diagnosis facilities of patients in 35 major hospitals of the state.
- In April 2018, the second mega food park was at Mahuakhera Ganj village, Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district. M/s Himalayan Mega Food Park Private Ltd has been set up at Rs 99.96 crore (US$ 15.51 million) and will benefit 25,000 farmers and neighbouring districts.
- Uttarakhand Policy for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship was launched in 2018, which aims to increase the employability of workers, competitiveness of enterprise, and inclusiveness of growth.
Overview of industrial parks
IIE Pantnagar
SIDCUL created IIE Pantnagar from land the state government had purchased from the G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology and is currently selling land there afer building a supporting infrastructure. With an estimated total investment of 35,730,000,000 rupees and expected employment of 38,000 people, the scale of development is unprecedented in the state. e nearest city is the district capital, Rudrapur, in the Udham Singh Nagar district. By May 2007, 393 companies had obtained industrial sites there. Of those, 92 companies have started commercial production. ere is also the ELDECO-SIDCUL industrial park located in Sitarganj, approximately 30 km east of Rudrapur in the same district. In addition, bio-IT parks are being built nearby in cooperation with the G.B. Pant University. In this way, the same district within the state of Uttarakhand is being given an extremely elevated position in industrial development.
IIE Haridwar
IIE Haridwar was developed as an industrial park after SIDCUL obtained land owned by the government-run heavy electrical manufacturer Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd (BHEL). It is located in the city of Haridwar. It is composed of 12 sectors, and as with IIE Pantnagar, the intention was to devote each sector to a certain industry. For example, Sector 1 was for cosmetics, Sector 5 for food products, and Sector 6 for pharmaceutical products. However, other industries have actually setup their factories in these sectors. the largest corporation in the park is Hero MotoCorp Ltd.
The same company occupies an area of 116 acres on the eastern side of Sector 10, and the western side is being developed as a supplier park, with seven companies located within. Because Hero MotoCorp Ltd.’s advance into the park came into development later, other suppliers could not secure the land within this industrial park. For this reason, a real-estate development company was established within the Hero Group, the development of industrial parks neighboring IIE Haridwar (Industrial Park-2 and Industrial Park-4) was allowed, and suppliers were invited into this area. Although industrial land provisioning is similarly saturated within IIE Pantnagar, the ELDECO-SIDCUL industrial park located approximately 15 km away is satisfying demand for new industrial land. In comparison, industrial land offered by the state is unable to meet demands in Haridwar, and private industrial parks are playing a certain role as bases for industry.