With split in industries, unemployment stares at trifurcated Vellore

While mech based industries moved to Ranipet, leather sector moved to Tirupattur district leaving Vellore with only the Vellore cooperative sugar mill. The Ambur and Tirupattur sugar mills became part of Tirupattur district.

“Though there might not be changes in the work place and schedules, Vellore locals will now have to either go to Ranipet or Tirupattur to petition government officials in case of need which is unnecessary,” stated VS Bhoopal, a resident.

Former Kuppam panchayat president S Jayaprakash said, “I plan to petition the government to restart the cooperative spinning mill at Ariyur on the outskirts of Vellore that was shut down more than three decades ago, so that locals can be assured of jobs.”

Association president R Amirthakatesan stated, “The district can encourage starting footwear and garment units, as they are non-polluting, require less water and minimal space. Also, these units can go for vertical expansion if necessary.”

However, all is not lost according to Gandhi Jyothi, Secretary of the Vellore district Small and Tiny Industries Association. “Vellore can be developed into a software hub as it has direct train connectivity to Chennai, unlike Ranipet. 

It takes only two hours for an express train to reach Vellore (Katpadi rail terminus) from Chennai whereas Ranipet’s nearest rail station is at Mukundarayapuram, which is quite far.” 

Talking in the same vein, Pernambut Congress Committee President G Suresh Kumar said, “Gudiyattam and Pernambut towns have lungi and minor leather units that help increase jobs.” Similarly, new industries can be started in Anaicut, Katpadi and KV Kuppam assembly segments, he added. 

VIT University chancellor and Gudiyattam native G Viswanathan said, “There are many work opportunities in agriculture if Palar river is brought back to life. This is possible if the proposed Central government plan to link Cauvery and Krishna becomes a reality.

Nearly 3,000 tmc of water goes waste into the sea and if this water is diverted to the Palar, it will not only revive agriculture but also solve water woes.”

On the industrial front, he said, “VIT has started a ‘soft landing’ concept where we invite a foreign company to start its industry in Vellore. Already a Germany company has started and another from China has expressed to do the same.”

Sources stated that Bengaluru based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed Rs 50 crore MoU, to restart TN Industrial Explosives (TEL) units in the district. These unites were initiated by former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran but were closed due to various reasons.