Shimla: With transportation of manufactured goods becoming a major hurdle in the industrial belt of Baddi-Nalagarh, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought rail connectivity to the manufacturing hub on a priority basis.
Speaking at a PHD committee meet in Baddi, Dhian Chand – chairman PHD Himachal said “connecting Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh by railways is an urgent requirement in the industrial belt. It will not only help to sustain existing industries but would also attract fresh investments.
Pointing out the transportation constraints in the region, he said that the road from Pinjore to Nalagarh was not in too good a shape. Rail connectivity would not only remove road congestion but would prove cost effective, he said.
The Chamber decided to take up the issue with Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee and the central government by involving the state government.
Other issues that industry faced in the area that found echo in the meet included infrastructure development, power requirements of industry, a need for a master plan for the industrial belt, problem of barriers, powers of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority and excise and taxation related issues.
Rajender Guleria, President BBN Industries Association who was also present on the occasion said that “issues of industrial importance should be addressed so as to help retain industries retained in the stateâ€.
The committee also felt that the government needed to take steps to develop new townships in industrial areas. Investors have to be encouraged to live in the area where they have set up their industries, for this the government needed to establish good health care centers, educational institutes and recreational facilities, said a PHD spokesman.
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