Hazira meet focuses on traffic woes, worker coordination

Surat: Key issues affecting the Hazira industrial belt, including traffic congestion, illegal highway parking and coordination between companies and workers, were discussed at a meeting of the Hazira Notified Area held at the Surat Police Commissioner's office on Tuesday.Surat collector Saurabh Pardhi and police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut interacted with representatives of major industries during the meeting. Several long-pending concerns were raised, including traffic management in the area and the need to prevent labour unrest such as the agitation reported recently at the AM/NS campus.Officials said work on a 10-hectare parking plot for trucks will be expedited to address roadside parking issues. The authorities have also requested the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to speed up road-widening work to ease traffic congestion.It was also decided that a new DCP Zone-7 office and DCP Traffic office will be set up at Ichhapore GIDC. The facility will also house offices of ACP Traffic and ACP N Division, along with a conference and community hall. Construction of the office is expected to begin soon.Officials also urged companies to maintain better coordination with workers and contractors to avoid communication gaps that could lead to labour disputes.Apart from the collector and the police commissioner, representatives of major companies including Reliance, Adani, AM/NS, L&T, ONGC and KRIBHCO attended the meeting. These companies operate key industrial installations in Hazira, Ichhapore and nearby areas.Companies asked to schedule releaseWith roads and circles leading to Hazira experiencing heavy traffic during peak hours, the issue was given priority at the meeting. Companies were asked to coordinate and stagger employee release times and maintain different shift timings to reduce congestion from staff buses. They were also advised not to allow heavy vehicles on the roads during bus timings, ensuring that trucks and buses do not share the roads simultaneously. Interact with workers to avoid tension Following recent worker agitation at the AM/NS campus, Surat police noted a significant communication gap between workers and company officials. Companies were advised to conduct welfare and interactive activities with employees, educating them about their rights, facilities, wages, and responsibilities to prevent future tensions.