I hail from this town turned city, and has always been very close to my heart. Although, I’m not directly involved in the textile industry for my living, most of my relatives are. My dad was in this industry as well while he was alive.
This City faced a very common problem. Ignorance by the Government. Lot of times we talk about the cities growing bigger in population, industry, etc., and cribbing that no-one expected this growth. Ex: Bangalore for it’s IT growth. I say, that’s a wrong statement. We have a Government with all best minds, and it’s their duty to predict the growth, etc. of an industry, place. These are lame excuses one could make on a disastrous situation.
Such is a state now, in this City – Tiruppur. It was a very small town (even a village) during my birth, but have seen steep growth in the last 20 years. It has become a home to a lot of migrant workers from other parts of the state (Tamilnadu), and even from other states like Bihar.
Tiruppur has various textile manufacturing establishments, and as well it’s sister industries such as Dyeing, Compacting, Embroidery, Spinning, etc. Now, the industry has become stand still because of the Court’s order to close the Dyeing units in and around this city. Court has ordered because these Dyeing’s were letting the polluted water into the Noyyal river directly. Thanks to the other low-cost markets like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Srilanka, the foreign buyers have started transferring the orders from here.
There is only a few options available to rescue the City from this disastrous situation. Options are:
- Taking the water to sea.
- Implementing zero discharge.
Both these options are very tough, the former takes a very long time (and money) to implement. The latter is certainly costly which most of the dyeing units may not be able to offer. So, how can Government save this City?
- Temporarily allowing 2000 TDS (or something acceptable) via court. This is a very tricky one where Government need to sit with the Farmers association, and the Dyeing owners to come to a mutual agreement.
- Setting up CETPs under Government supervision, and Dyeing operators pay cost for their usage of the plant.
If the Government cannot make the #1 happen (temporary allowing), Tiruppur will not be able to recover very easily.
Debts are raising, and many industries are closing their shop. And, the time is running out. If this Government even takes more than 2 months to find a solution to this problem, this City is going to be under very tough situations. Again, this is my personal opinion, and I could be wrong on facts. I’m sure there could be legal hurdles in making this happen, but Government if steps in, could save an industry, and it’s glorious future.
How much the Dyeing folks asking for Government’s help on this, they should think about the Farmer’s as well. Take responsibility of polluting the river, and at least act smart from now on. Else, there is a black future for all.
rakkimk - the next door (so called) geek 