The siren of Azam Jahi Mills that used to come as a wakeup call for residents of Warangal town and surrounding villages has gone mute forever. No more the siren rings and no more hurrying up in the early hours.
The gigantic Azam Jahi Mills that provided jobs to over 10,000 people much before independence has faded into oblivion permanently. Except for the board, nothing is visible now. Thanks to the successive governments which remained indifferent to the pleas to save the age old mills.
However, the TRS government’s assertion that it was keen on reviving the sick and defunct industries in the new State has come as a ray of hope. Azam Jahi Mills is one among them that the TRS government has vowed to bring back on rails.
The Azam Jahi Mills was established in Warangal in 1934 by the then ruler Nizam near Warangal railway station. It functioned for over six decades until the late 1980s. It was closed down in the early 1990s and then the land was sold away in mid 1990s. There is no landmark now.
Leaders of many political leaders took part in the agitation to save Azam Jahi Mills and furthered their political career. But, the mill died a slow death.
CPI(M) district secretary G. Nagaiah speaking to The Hindu said the mill employed more than 10,000 people and used to supply electricity to Warangal town. “Much before people elsewhere saw electric power, the mills illuminated houses and streets here. It had such a great past, but was dealt a death blow,” he rued.
According to him, the TDP regime was averse to the government owning sick units while the Congress government demolished the structures and sold away the precious land. TRS MP Kadiam Srihari, who was associated with the struggle to save Azam Jahi Mills, said he had submitted a proposal for setting up a composite textile mill ‘cotton to fabric’ in Warangal and exuded confidence that he would secure it for the district sooner or later.
The Mill was taken over by the National Textile Corporation in 1974. In late 1990s, the land was given to the Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA) which sold it away by making plots. Of the nearly 200 acres, the NTC now reportedly owns 30 acres on which it proposes to set up an Apparel Park in view of public demand.
Though the foundation stone was laid, it is yet to take off. The State and Central government could think of setting up more than 10 textile mills as the district has got all the resources needed for the industry. Farmers in the district grow cotton in nearly six lakh acres. The district has got water, coal, transport facilities and land needed for the industry. “The textile units will benefit 15 to 20 lakh people directly or indirectly,” added Mr. Nagaiah.
LOST GLORY
· Azam Jahi Mills set up by the Nizam government in 1934
· The Mills produced and supplied power to whole of Warangal town
· It employed nearly 10,000 people and supported many more indirectly
· The Mill was taken over by the National Textile Corporation in 1974
· It functioned for over six decades and was closed down in the early 1990s
· Of the 200 acres, only 30 acres are with the NTC and the rest sold away as real estate
· Political leaders agitated for its revival and furthered their political careers
