Welspun City, Anjar(Kutch): Balkrishna Goenka of Welspun today on the occasion of inauguration of new Waste water treatment plant and ground breaking for Carpet and Rugs making plant by Chief Minister Shri Vijay Rupani at Anjar in Kutch district of Gujarat today delivered interesting speech on Welspun company’s present activities in Kutch and future plans. Presented below are highlights of his speech.

Permit for women to work in three shifts granted in few weeks

Last year when the Chief Minister came to Welspun City for the first time on our foundation day, he had promised to clear obstruction blocking industrial development in the state. Three-shift work permission for women was granted to us in a few week. This decision was pending of last many years. It showcases an example of strong and decisive leadership. The biggest issue now for industries is land revenue related, solution of which is expected.

We wanted to expand in Vapi, Narendrabhai sent us to Kutch

I went to Narendrabhai for expansion of our Vapi plant in 2004-5. Then CM, he said we should go to Vapi and not in Kutch. He appointed AK Sharma as nodal officer and asked to clear the path for Welspun. It was not easy decision for us to set up an entire plant in Kutch, but thanks to cooperation extended by entire state we exported first towel in first 9 months and produced first pipe in first 11 months. This is only possible in Gujarat.

Promise made in Vibrant Summit fulfilled before time

Kutch has witnessed 17,000 crore investment in last ten years. We have invested over Rs 10,000 crore investment in last ten years in Welspun City here. We provide direct/indirect employment to around 1 lakh people today. The identity of Welspun is thanks to Kutch. After 12 years we have decided next 5 years vision titled as Welspun 2020, and we are going to invest Rs 10,000 crore in next five years, like we did it in last ten years. We had promised investment of Rs 3,000 crore in Vibrant Gujarat Summit and we are fulfilling our promise before time.

Every 5th towel in America is produced here

Gujarat is the largest producer of towel in the world. Every 5th towel sold in America is produced on the land of Gujarat, from Welspun factory.

Waste water treatment plant will also supply drinking water to villages

30 MLD waste water plant inaugurated today is a unique plant. There’s a proverb that necessity of mother of invention. We at present need around 15-20 MLD water everyday for our textile plant, and this requirement will grow in days to come as we scale up our business. About three years ago we discussed how to fulfill our need for water on sustained basis. Today Kutch has over 100 MLD water sourced from Narmada. Welspun is the biggest user with 20 MLD allocation. However we get lesser than this unfortunately. Once 30 MLD new waste water plant is fully operational, may be within a year, we will be able to supply 10-15 MLD water to nearby villages for drinking water needs.

Kutch will be known for carpet

Once the carpet plant is fully functional, Kutch will be known for its carpet. We will source most row material from Kutch only for our carpet plant. In upcoming 3-5 years we will create around 1 lakh employment opportunity in this area.

35 km pipe line to discharge treated water to sea

We have erected 35-km treated water line for discharge to sea at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

Ved school to be expanded to accommodate 100 students

Under our education programme initiative, we train teachers in 40 schools of Gujarat and operate smart classes in 34 schools. We want to increse it by 4-fold in next five years. In around 28 schools we want to fill the vacant space of teachers. Welspun foundation has started Ved school with 11 children. We want to scale it up to 51-100 students with proper infrastructure.

A full-scale skill center planned

Last year Welspun trained over 11,000 people for skills and provided them employment. We want to train around 25,000 youths in next two years. Today in Ministry of Textile, we are on the top when it comes to skilling programme. We want to take this ahead as India is the youngest nation today. Every month 10 lakh new people are needed to be employed. Are they employable with skill in possession? We have planned to set up state-of-the-art skill center in next 12-18 months to train 50,000 to 60,000 people every year for the jobs of driver, electrician, beautician, mobile repair, textile, logistic, retail etc. The govt schemes pertaining to skill training only cover operational cost. However main investment is in land, building and tools. The State government should come out with some scheme to extend help in setting up cost.

More CSR activities

We have build toilets in 28. Every year more 1500 toilets are to be built in neighboring areas.

A new brand Spun has been created for products created by rural women in nearby villages. It is being marketed worldwide.

DeshGujarat