Continuing in its efforts to become greener, the Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA) plans to eliminate plastic on the premises, introduce solar lighting, and establish a common effluent treatment plant.
From a 700-acre space housing 400 small-scale units, the estate, which is in its 50{+t}{+h}year, has come a long way and now boasts of over 1,500 enterprises on sprawling 1,300 acres.
Until a few years ago, the estate was cut off due to flooding because of the surplus water flowing in from Ambattur lake, forcing several units to remain shut for many days.
Now, with better infrastructure, including stormwater drains and footpaths, it is not just a place sought after by IT companies but has also become a thoroughfare for residents using Mogappair and Ambattur.
Keeping with its goal to be eco-friendly, AIEMA had constructed two sewage treatment plants.
Now, it has extended its plans to set up plants to treat industrial effluent and recycle solid waste.
As there is less scope for industrial expansion, the association is looking to expand and create an ancillary industrial estate.
To ensure employees’ welfare, it accommodates nearly 100 children in a crèche, supports a Rotary hospital and also trains youngsters in various skill development programmes. Some of the plans were announced at the valedictory function of the golden jubilee celebrations of AIEMA on Saturday.
Sai Sathya Kumar, president of AIEMA said, “In the next year, we plan to make the Ambattur Industrial Estate a model for all other estates in the country.”
Several office bearers reminisced on the several decades of AIEMA, which started with the formation of the SIDCO Industrial Estate by the State government in 1963.
Appreciating the AIEMA for providing jobs to over two lakh people, Sivagnanam S., additional industrial adviser, MSME Development Institute, Government of India said, “Companies should explore the possibility of new ventures in the Defence Offset Policy, the Public Procurement Policy and aerospace manufacturing. AIEMA should provide inputs for the new MSME policy being framed currently.”
