Dharwad poised to be a major industrial cluster in Karnataka

DHARWAD: The state government has embarked upon a new industrial policy which is focusing on development of the Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. This corridor passes through Dharwad. As the district has ample scope for major players to set up their plants here, 5,200 acres of land is being acquired for the purpose.
With this, Dharwad will be redesigned as one of the biggest industrial clusters and would open abundant opportunities for youth to get employment.Several industries have evinced interest to set up their units here.
Belur, Mummigatti and Kotur are the most preferred destinations for industrialists and units are being set up on nearly 1,050 acres.
Former industries minister Jagadish Shettar told TOI on Wednesday that he had apprised new minister Murugesh Nirani about the need to take forward the proposals and ensure the promised investments are realized.
Meanwhile, Aequs SEZ Private Limited is developing a Consumer Electronics and Durable Goods (CEDG) cluster on 350 acres in Itigatti-Gamanagatti area between Hubballi and Dharwad, with an investment of Rs 3,524 crore, and will create around 20,000 jobs.
The cluster has the status of a Special Economic Zone and provides plug-and-play infrastructure to other companies, both domestic and foreign. As many as 82 units are likely to be set up here. The bhoomi puja for the SEZ is slated to be held on August 16.
“With the Hubballi Consumer Durable Goods Cluster, Aequs is leading India’s foray into global scale co-located manufacturing facilities for home appliances, cookware etc. to be sold in India and the rest of the world. This one-stop industrial ecosystem promises manufacturers the shortest plan-to-commercial gestation ever,” said an official of the department of Industries.
Shettar said the state-level high power committee had cleared the project in 2020. Union minister for parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi said the project will be the first zone specific investment in the country and will be in line with PM Narendra Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat plan.
Shettar said Noida-based UFlex, India’s largest multinational packaging company, will manufacture flexible packing film on around 50 acres in Mummigatti, on the outskirts of Dharwad. The company will invest around Rs 1,464 crore and operate throughout South India from here.
Apart from concessions and subsidies in the new industrial policy and SEZ norms, the state government has extended more benefits to Aequs, such as 25% capital investment subsidy and 20% for other companies investing there, besides deferring payment for land. The land, acquired by Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, has been offered at a concessional rate.