Vijay virtually inaugurates infrastructure facilities at SIPCOT complex in Ranipet

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday virtually inaugurated infrastructure facilities for non-leather companies at a cost of ₹95.05 crore inside the SIPCOT complex at Panapakkam village in Ranipet.

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), which maintains the facility, said that key essential and infrastructure facilities were opened in the spacious complex. Collector Priya Ravichandran inspected the new facilities in the complex with TIDCO officials. 

These new facilities will meet investors’ requirements to set up their units and the welfare of staff employed in these units. “The new SIPCOT in Panapakkam is meant only for companies related to manufacturing and non-leather sectors. The new facilities will attract more companies to set up their units in the complex,” P. Maheshwari, Project Officer (PO), SIPCOT (Ranipet), said.

Among the facilities that were inaugurated, two plug and play buildings, which were built at a cost of ₹51.80 crore, were opened for companies that function in the non-leather sector. Spread over two lakh sq.ft. of space, the new buildings have basic facilities like water and power supply, fire fighting equipment and an office.

TIDCO officials said that earlier, the government used to provide only land for companies to start their units. In contrast, the plug and play model provides customised infrastructure, including buildings, based on requirements of companies. Higher bidders will be allotted adequate space in these buildings in the coming weeks.

The Chief Minister also opened a three-storey administrative building in the complex. The new facility covers around one lakh sq.ft. and is built at a cost of ₹26 crore. A conference hall and a canteen also form a part of the facilities at the complex. For the welfare of employees, a medical centre for staff and a childcare centre were also opened.

Spread over 1,200 acres that covers Agavalam, Thuraiyur, Nedumpuli, and Peruvalayam villages, the Panapakkam SIPCOT complex got into the industrial map of the State after JLR and Tata Motors started a ₹9,000 crore car manufacturing plant in the complex. It will manufacture 2.5 lakh vehicles annually over the next 5–7 years for domestic and international markets. The 470 acre plant, which was inaugurated in February this year, is expected to provide jobs for around 5,000 persons, mostly locals, and would gradually increase to 25,000 persons in the next five years.

TIDCO officials said that remaining space in the complex has been allocated to set up a ₹400 crore footwear manufacturing park that would generate around 20,000 jobs, mostly for women. It will also enable leather manufacturers in the region to reduce the import of raw materials like soles, heels and synthetic materials from China and solve logistical issues. EOM