Even as the Met department has forecast more rains for Chennai, most of the vehicle makers at Oragadam and Sriperumbudur manufacturing belts have resumed operations due to improvements in weather conditions and transport services.
Companies like Hyundai, Renault-Nissan, Ashok Leyland and Daimler Commercial Vehicle have commenced production at their factories near Chennai after shutting them down for 5-6 days due to heavy flooding in those areas on account of unprecedented rains last week.
However, Ford is yet to resume operations at Maraimalai Nagar as the company is assessing the damages caused by water-logging at the plant. But, the company has resumed production at its engine plant in the factory complex.
Hyundai’s car factory at Irrungattukottai near Sriperumbudur resumed production on Saturday, December 5 and the plant ran on Sunday too. A company spokesperson confirmed that their factory has started producing cars from Saturday onwards.
Also, Renault-Nissan alliance’s factory at Oragadam resumed production on Sunday, December 6. Its corporate offices as well as R&D center also started functioning from December 7. “However, employees in severely affected areas have been directed to remain at home until conditions improve,” according to a company statement.
The company reported no damage to its plant, facilities or warehousing after initial assessments, while the impact of rains on its local suppliers is being assessed.
Even as it is in the process of assessing losses, Ashok Leyland has resumed regular operations at its Ennore plant near Chennai. Production began on October 7, the company told the stock exchanges.
German truck major Daimler India Commercial Vehicle resumed its truck production on Sunday at its Oragadam factory. The plant downed its shutters on Tuesday, December 1 due to heavy rains and lack of transport for its staff. It has not reported any loss of lives or damage to the factory.
