Dunlop India reopens amids hopes of industrial resurrection

Kolkata, Oct 31 (UNI) Tyres of Dunlop India Limited would once again start rolling on the Indian roads with today's reopening of its Sahaganj plant after a gap of over five years, thereby bringing a new ray of hope among its former workmen.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee formally inaugurated the tyre plant in the refurbished rolling mill shop in presence of Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohon Deb and Dunlop India Limited Chairman Pawan Ruia, who had acquired the company from the Chabaria group two years ago.

Initially about 200 odd of the 1179 workmen of closed Dunlop unit had found their job, while the remaining others would be suitably employed during the next four months when the production capacity would reach its pick from initially 20 ton a day to 130 ton a day in the form of production of aviation tyres, heavy duty truck tyres and earth mover tyres.

Incidentally, the other unit of Dunlop India at Ambatur in Tamil Nadu was reopened in August this year where different types of car tyre and tubes were being manufactured.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bhattacharjee urged the workers and management to work in unison to take the productivity to the maximum level at the earliest so that Dunlop tyre could regain its leadership position in the domestic as well as in the global market soon.

" I want to see that Dunlop would soon regain its world leadership position with world class productivity, " the Chief Minister emphasised.

Describing today as the Red letter day in the industrial rejuvenation programme of the state government, the Chief Minister hoped with necessary Central assistance and adequate private industries participation, all closed industrial units in the state would gradually be reopened to bring about a new ray of hope for millions of educated unemployed.

Coming down heavily on the Opposition Trinamool Congress for raising a political controversy over the Tata Motor's proposed plant at Singur, Mr Bhattacharjee reiterated his appeal for immediate withdrawal of their agitation for the sake of smooth industrial growth in West Bengal.

Mr Deb had assured maximum assistance from the Centre in the smooth running of Dunlop as well as reopening of several closed heavy industrial units in the state.

Dunlop India Chairman Pawan Kumar Ruia underlying his revival plan for Dunlop's both Sahaganj and Ambatoor units in Tamil Nadu said he had planned to invest Rs 450 crore within the next few months for their total restructuring and modernisation.

So far about 200 odd former workmen had found employment at Sahaganj, he said and promised that by January/February all the remaining 1179 former employees of the tyre major would be reappointed in phases.

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