State industrial parks to go green

According to Minister of Large & Medium Scale Industries Murugesh R Nirani, the State is in talks with German companies to develop environmental-friendly industrial parks. “While the ministry’s primary concern is to develop industries, we also realise the importance of sound environment,” he said.

The move of involving German firms follows an action plan signed by the State with German State of Bavaria, whose delegation visited the Karnataka for three days.

Technical sharing

As per the action plan, the two will cooperate in the areas of science & research, environment, industry, film & media, school & education.

The proposal of these eco parks were first mooted by the State delegation during its visit to Germany. The participation of foreign firms in these projects would mainly be through sharing technical know-how and investment.

Sources said a few companies have expressed interest in the project. Further, the State will provide world class infrastructure in these estates to woo investors. Its new industrial policy 2009-14 states “efforts will be made to provide world class infrastructure to investors like all-weather road, uninterrupted power supply, adequate water, warehouse and logistic facilities, connectivity through railways/ports etc.” While developing large industrial estates, sources said 20-25 per cent of land will be earmarked for townships facilitating walk-to-work concept, a key demand of investors.