3,500 small industries resume operations in Indore

INDORE: As many as 3,500 small-scale industries, spread in small pockets of the city, have resumed operations amid relaxed lockdown norms, giving a boost to economic revival in the region.
Most industries located at Sanwer Road, Palda, Polo Ground, Nemawar Road and Bardari have resumed operations with skeletal staff and limited capacity utilisation. A small step, but big on hope.
Relaxations allowed by the district administration - especially withdrawing the condition for stay arrangements for workers - helped many industries resume operations.According to the Association of Industries Madhya Pradesh (AIMP), most small and medium scale factories in the industry belts of Indore city have resumed operations at 30% to 40% capacity.
Industry players said relaxed norms, logistics support and extended working hours will give a much-needed boost.
Anil Joshi, manufacturer of copper components on Sanwer Road, said, "Small-scale industries have many constraints. One was limited space within the premises to make stay arrangements for workers. Once this is relaxed, many units came forward to resume operations."
Some industrial belts in the city, such as Kila Maidan and Rambali Nagar, are still awaiting permission to resume work.
Pramod Dafaria, president of AIMP, said, "We have requested the local administration to let all industries function with proper safety measures in order to get back on track. Industries have suffered irreparable damage in the last two months and this needs to be addressed."
In the wake of worker shortage in some units, the association has sought permission from the administration to send transportation for their workers to bring back to the city. "Many workers have migrated to their native villages and this is leading to shortage of workers in factories. Looking at this problem, the association, after discussing with its members, has decided to send transportation for workers who are willing to come back," Dafaria said.