Buddha stresses on vibrant,aggressive industrialisation

Haldia, Aug 26 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today urged battery major Exide Industries Limited to develop a special battery to run noiseless boats and steamers to help develop river tourism through the Ganges and in the Sunderban belt.

Speaking at a function after laying the foundation of a new one million capacity battery plant here he emphasised the need for carrying on the industrialisation programme in a more vibrant and aggressive manner.

Referring to the steady growth of Haldia as one of the major industrial hubs, the chief minister said his government had chalked out a major plan for the all round and speedy development of this port town by setting up two Special Economic Zones and a major chemical hub within the next two years.

Stressing the need for further development of Haldia's infrastructural facilities by constructing more world class roads and bridges, Mr Bhttacharjee asked local MP Laxman Seth to take up the work on top priority basis.

He also underscored the need for setting up more training centres in and around this town to help attract more industries and create more employment opportunity. In this connection Mr Bhattacharjee also regretted the role of the Election Commission in stalling any development project during the time of election. ''But since this is the law of the land we have to abide by it,'' he observed.

Earlier, Exide Chairman and CEO S B Ganguly said the new expansion programme at a cost of Rs 60 crores would create more than 500 jobs and become an exclusive export-oriented unit. It would produce modern traction battery unit for the company's fast expanding export market in the UK, Australia, China, Singapore and Korea among the 12 countries.

He said his company also planned to invest Rs 120 crores during this fiscal for its expansion programme.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Seth referred to the close ties between the management and workers in Haldia and promised that this trend would continue in every sector in the coming years too.

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