Nov 2008

Okhla Industrial Area is part of the broader vision of the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, to make India a formidable Industrial power.

However, the state of our industrial belts gives the impression on the contrary.

Housing more than 3000 units, the premier Okhla Industrial Area today is reduced to no more than an urban Jhuggi cluster. Thanks to our politicians for encouraging Jhuggis Jhompris (J.J.) to come up as their strong vote banks.

Mr. Udesh Babal, President, Okhla factory Owners' Association Phase I & II is a sad man today. He told SME WORLD, “We are beset with problems of all kinds. Today, it is a harrowing experience driving through the industrial area. Roads are in dilapidated condition and our service lanes are home to the cluster of Jhuggis and the roads are encroached upon freely.”

He adds in all seriousness, “We feel ashamed to call our customers and buyers here. What impression will they carry and what business should we expect from them when we ourselves are working under such an environment?”

Mr. Babal who took over as President of the Area in 2002 has almost sacrificed his own business of garment finishing unit and BPO industry to take care of the huge problems being faced by the units here. “It has become a full time job for me and I just cannot ignore it. After all, I am answerable to the 3000 and odd units and 2.5 lakh persons working in these units.”

What is surprising is how the authorities can afford to ignore such an industrial hub housing a variety of industry, from agriculture to automobile, banks, software, pharma, scientific equipment, hotels and what not. The irony is that the Area has many government departments and institutes also.

“Somehow, we feel that we are only reduced to mere pawns playing into the hands of our politicians who rule the roost in our civic bodies”, quips Mr. Babal shrugging his shoulders. “Next time when you come to meet me, I would say “welcome to the J.J. Industrial Belt,” he bursts into laughter.

What are the problems of the Okhla Industrial Area, Phase I and II? Why do our politicians avoid and ignore the large number of SMEs in the Area? How the political leaders come and go leaving a trail of promises? How the promises are kept on hold until they go away hoping to be voted again?

What caused the transition of a prestigious industrial hub into an ugly and uninviting industrial area? All these problems and many other issues plaguing the industrial hub will be discussed in the December issue of SME WORLD.