Small Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) has floated a tender to carry out development work at its industrial park near Manapparai on the Tiruchi-Dindigul Highway.

The park, aimed at providing land at an affordable long-term lease basis for the industrial purposes, was established on 1,097 acres at Kannudaiyanpatti, K. Periyapatti, and Chathirapatti near Manapparai on Tiruchi-Dindigul Highway about 14 years ago. After acquiring land, the SIPCOT carried out development work such as road, approach roads, street lights, drains, and water supply for about 5 km. It began the process of allotment of land to the companies.

According to sources, so far land has been allotted to 35 industrial units on a 99-year lease. Though the response from the industries, seeking allotment of sites, was termed as sluggish initially, it has picked up now. So far, about 300 acres of land had been allotted. Some entrepreneurs, who have been allotted lands, have begun productions after building plants. However, they had expressed dissatisfaction over the poor infrastructure such as roads and others and brought it to the attention of the officials. Minister for Industries Keerthana visited the site two months ago to study the situation and promised the allottees to carry out the pending development activities at the earliest.

According to sources, as a follow-up, the SIPCOT planned to create all infrastructure facilities at an estimate of ₹43 crore and floated an open tender to that effect. The process of scrutiny of the tender documents is on. About 50 contractors have reportedly submitted bids. The bidder, who has quoted the lowest price for executing the work, will be awarded the contract.

A senior official told The Hindu that as per the proposal, a 3.8-km road would be laid with 10.5 meters width. It would be of National Highway standard. Provision of pavement, installation of street lights, drainage facilities, and provision of water supply were among the components of the proposal. The successful bidder would be given 11 months to complete the work.

In addition to it, he said that laying of roadwork for 4 km, which was awarded before the State Assembly elections, had been taken up at an estimate of ₹23 crore. It would be completed within three months.