Taloja MIDC faces setback as industrial township put on hold

OVERRULED State can’t override powers granted to local self-governments, says industries minister

The industries in Taloja Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) received a major setback as state industries minister Subhash Desai announced that the industrial townships have been put on hold.

On the other hand, he has assured the industrialists that the government is working hard to resolve the water supply issue to the industries.

Desai was attending the silver jubilee function of Taloja Manufacturers’ Association held at CBD Belapur on Wednesday.

“While the state government is keen on giving responsibility to the industrialists to maintain and look after their area, we can’t override the powers granted by the Constitution to the local self-governments,” said Desai.

“Since the local self-governments are not ready to give up these powers, the industrial township issue in the state has come to a halt,” said Desai on the exclusion of the Taloja MIDC from Panvel Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) jurisdiction. In August, industrialists of Taloja industrial area had requested the state government to exclude their area from being a part of municipal corporation.

The industrialists of the MIDC area have also opposed the 48-hour water cut, saying it has affected their business. Desai said, “The entire state is facing water shortage owing to inadequate rainfall. We are looking at various ways to find a solution. We are also working with industrialists on the issue.”

“Apart from rainwater harvesting, we are also looking at recycling of waste water that flows through the nullah. We are appealing to the industries to raise infrastructure to use it,” said the minister.

“We want to ensure that the industrialists face little difficulty and pressure owing to the cut. I am confident that we will soon succeed based on the alternatives that we are planning,” said Desai.