The Hindu Business Line : Coindia gets into kickstarting cluster project — Identifying equipment supplier for sand reclamation plant

THE Coimbatore Industrial Infrastructure Association (Coindia), involved in the implementation of the `Coimbatore Pump, Motor and Foundry-Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme', is in the process of identifying the equipment supplier for the sand reclamation plant that is an important component of the Rs 58.5-crore industrial cluster project.

It is confident of completing the project's four components within 24 months of the launch, though its initial plan was to complete it within an 18-month period, Mr G. Rajendran, President, Coindia, said.

Speaking to presspersons after signing an MoU with Si'Tarc, one of the project beneficiaries, he said that the search for about 30-40 acres of land, close to Nilambur on Avanashi Road, was on for establishing the sand reclamation plant.

A Coindia team would visit Italy and France in September/October to acquaint itself with the working of the machines. Initially, the capacity of the sand reclamation plant would be 20 tonnes/hour. The estimated cost of this segment is Rs 23 crore and details concerning this segment would be finalised in the next three months.

He said a draft MoU, to be signed with Siruthuli for the establishment of the sewage water treatment facility, is being examined by Siruthuli. This project envisages an investment of Rs 4 crore.

The cluster project also aims at meeting the requirements of tiny and small foundries for common facilities at an outlay of Rs 7-8 crore at Arasur, Manickampalayam and Kallapalayam where foundry estates are coming up.

Mr Rajendran said that the formation of a modern common tool room with the latest machinery at Si'Tarc's premises on Avarampalayam Road would be part of the project's fourth segment. This segment, estimated to cost around Rs 19 crore, includes establishment of a business centre at SIEMA's premises, upgrading the existing facilities and providing new equipments at Si'Tarc and the establishment of a training centre for software production.

The upgradation of facilities in Si'Tarc would help improve the testing facilities of pumps and motors, and enable members to export their products to the US, Canada, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, which have their power supply in 60Hz frequency.

It is for the first time that a testing facility for 60Hz frequency is being established in the country and it will help small and medium companies test their products.

He said that the Central Government has released Rs 8 crore as the first instalment of the Rs 40-crore grant for the project. Coindia has raised Rs 2.8 crore as margin money and SBI has sanctioned a loan of Rs 6.7 crore. On the project's impact, Mr Rajendran was confident that the Coimbatore pump industry's share in the domestic market would go up by 25 per cent — from the current Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,500 crore; and the share of exports would witness a quantum jump — from Rs 33 crore last year to Rs 400 crore in five years.

Coindia had a meeting with representatives of the Tamil Nadu Pump and Motor Manufacturers Association, who have expressed their willingness to join the cluster development project.

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