Punjab: The country’s first industrial center neglected
Punjab: The country’s first industrial nucleus complex at Goindwal Sahib has been in a neglected state for decades. It has been renamed as ‘Industrial Centre Point, Goindwal Sahib’ after hundreds of workers lost their jobs and entrepreneurs went into debt. Goindwal Sahib was founded by the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das, in 1552 to promote trade in this town located on the banks of Sher Shah Suri Marg (GT Road) and the Beas river. The complex, once managed by the Goindwal Industrial and Investment Corporation (GIICO) to provide single-window facility for industrial units, is now under the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC). In 1980, the central government, in its industrial policy, accorded Goindwal Sahib the status of the country’s first industrial nucleus complex. It was the only town in Punjab to have round-the-clock power supply to industry as well as domestic consumers. According to the master plan, Goindwal Sahib was to be the fourth largest city of the state after Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana with a population of 3 lakhs in 50-60 years. At present the population of the city is 13,000 and the voters are 7,000.
As per the master plan, 6,000 acres of land was to be acquired in phases. Out of this, 1,200 acres (20%) was to be reserved for industry and the remaining 4,800 acres (80%) for the urban complex. The central government wanted to establish BHEL, HMT and many big units to promote ancillary units. But terrorism dealt a severe blow to the development of the complex. Due to the prevailing conditions of the time and the indifferent attitude of the central and state government, not only many industrial units were closed but hundreds of factory workers became unemployed. Bawa Shoe Factory, Cooperative Spinning Mill and some other industrial units were the first choice of job seekers. In the year 1988, the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had laid the foundation stone for a paper mill to be set up by Punjab Agro. 450 acres of land was acquired for this purpose, but the unit has not yet come into existence. Out of the acquired land, 85 acres of land has been allotted to the Central Jail. Some portion has been used for setting up a nursing institute, University Regional Centre affiliated to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS). The land has also been allotted to a paint company and Punjab Mandi Board for setting up a grain market. Some portion of the land has been encroached upon by influential persons.
The status of the nucleus complex was withdrawn by the Centre in 1998, at that time there were about 170 industrial units in Goindwal Sahib. Earlier, 909 acres of land was acquired in two phases. The entrepreneurs put up their problems before the political bigwigs, but to no avail. A large portion of the acquired land is now lying vacant and many functional units have been closed. Crores of rupees spent by the Central and State Government have gone waste. Ramandeep Singh Bharowal, Chairman of Goindwal Industrial Association said that at present there are only 67 working units in the complex. He said that due to the closure of shoe company, spinning mill, steel firm and other big units, a large number of workers have become unemployed. Due to the closure of many units, the complex now wears a deserted look. The GIICO office, which was once bustling with activity, has been taken over by anti-social elements. The community hall is also in a neglected state. Goindwal Sahib is connected to nearby cities like Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Beas and Jalandhar by railway line. Representatives of entrepreneurs Ramandeep Singh Bharowal and Ranjit Singh Bhullar said that they are trying their best to revive the industrial complex, and also highlighted the problems being faced by the entrepreneurs.
