MP Arora assures CII to take up issues of industry with government 

Ludhiana, February 26, 2023: While presiding over as the chief guest at CII Ludhiana Annual Session 2022-23 and Interactive Session on Ludhiana Industrial Growth and Ideal Investment Destination here on Saturday late evening Sanjeev Arora, MP (Rajya Sabha) has assured the local industry that he will do his best for taking up their issues and problems both at the Centre and the State Level.

Arora said under the able leadership, guidance and cooperation of Punjab’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Sh.Bhagwant Mann his concrete efforts have started showing results. This is evident from the fact that work of the setting-up of the Harwara Airport is in progress on war-footings and it is likely to be completed by mid of this year. Regarding dilapidated condition of roads in Focal Point areas of the city over the years, he assured that roads in all eight phases of focal points will be renovated within this year.

He said many issues taken at the today’s sessions have already been taken up by him at appropriate level. He said the issue of increasing the capacity of ESI Hospital, Ludhiana is already on his agenda and he has already taken up this matter with the concerned Union Minister. He added efforts are on to make this hospital a state-of-the-art hospital by increasing its bedding capacity from 300 to 500.  He said he was on the job to get the required things done at the state government level to let the work begin towards the right direction.

Actively participating in the interactive session, Arora also sincerely replied to all the questions related to the ongoing works of NHAI and a couple of other departments. He assured that the city’s vehicular traffic will be smooth in the next a few months after completion of elevated road works. All the roads along the elevated roads will be cleared of machinery, rubble and other construction material, he said, adding that even surroundings of these roads will be seen with lush greenery. Replying to a question, he said a total 13 roads of Punjab are to be declared as National Highways in the future which for now Centre has put on hold.

On the demand of setting-up an exhibition centre for the industry in Ludhiana, Arora said the matter is already under his consideration. “But, I can take this issue forward with the government only if I have some representations from the industrial organisations”, he said, adding that identifying a piece of land for the proposed exhibition centre will also be a challenging job. 

Arora also assured to look into the demand of improving condition of existing R&D Centre for bicycle and sewing machine. He was apprised that the existing machinery in this R&D Centre is obsolete, thus it has almost lost its relevance in the present scenario. He was apprised that MSMEs can be benefitted a lot if this R&D Centre is upgraded. Arora was also apprised that Ludhiana needs facilities for technology upgradation.

During this interactive session, it was demanded that atleast two-three international flights from Chandigarh Airport be started in daily basis. In reply, Arora said presently, airlines work independently and they work seeing their profitability, adding moreover, there is shortage of aircrafts in the country. Still, he will try his best to raise this matter in coming session of Rajya Sabha, he assured. 

Arora said he is glad to note that CII has been working closely with Government of Punjab to position the state as preferred investment destination. Besides, CII has been representing the industry viewpoint on emerging trends, shaping new policies including the proposed industrial and sectoral policy facilitating investments dialogue at various forums ease of doing business amongst others. He lauded CII stating that it is also committed towards industry competitiveness by providing services like networking industrial and business missions, seminars, training conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions buyer seller forums etc.

On the occasion, Arora was presented a memento. 

CII Ludhiana Zone’s newly elected chairman Rishi Pahwa, vice chairman Lokesh Jain and Immediate Past Chairman Ashwin Nagpal were among those present.