Rajkot: Nearly a decade after Rajkot’s small and medium scale industries moved a proposal for new industrial estate, the district administration has allotted 97 hectare land to the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) at Devgam Khirasara in Lodhika taluka of Rajkot.However, the industry players are disappointed as they had demanded 341 hectare of land from the government and feel that the land allocated currently was grossly insufficient.Rajkot, the financial capital of Saurashtra, is also manufacturing hub of small engineering parts, diesel engines, submersible pumps, auto components, casting and forging, kitchenware, hardware and gems and jewellery.The proposal to develop industrial estate at Devgam Khirasara was first floated in 2008-09 after the demand from various industrial associations. At that time GIDC had proposed to allot 341 hector land to create estate.GIDC had also deposited token amount with the revenue department but the physical possession of the land was taken two days before.Tanmay Patel regional manager GIDC, said, “We will now make plans for roads, drainage, water and other facilities. After that GIDC will invite application from industries for allotment of plots.”Currently, Rajkot has a GIDC at Metoda that was set up in 1990s and spread across 440 hectares.Vice president of Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Parth Ganatra said, “Our original demand was for 341 hectares for Devgam Khirasara estate. The land allotted by administration is not sufficient. It will be very difficult to allot the plots to all the players.”President of Rajkot Engineering Association, Paresh Patel said, “Government is giving incentives to big industrial houses from outside the state. We are doing business here since decades, paying taxes, generating more employment. Government should give us more incentives.”According to GIDC sources, it take another year to prepare the development plan for Devgam Khirasara. Only after the plan is finalised GIDC can invite online application from allotment of plots from industrial units.Rajkot district collector Rahul Gupta said that 97 hectare land allocated was for the first phase. “We will allot more land in future during second phase and if required we will acquire private land for industrial purpose as per industry demand.”

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