India’s four powerloom mega clusters located at Erode (Tamil Nadu), Bhiwandi (Maharashtra), Bhilwara (Rajasthan) and Ichalkaranji (Maharashtra) was assessed by the Project Approval and Monitoring Committee (PAMC) chaired Textiles Secretary Zohra Chatterji yesterday and approved further action to be taken to implement the Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development scheme.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in October 2013 had given approval for the modified Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development scheme for implementation during the 12th Plan period (2012-17) with a budget outlay of Rs 110 crore.

An Integrated Textile Market Complex comprising a wholesale market complex and a weekly textile shandy market will be completed by March 31, 2014. The weekly textile market will commence from April 1, 2014 and the wholesale market complex will be completed by December 2014. In addition to this, a fresh proposal will be brought in the next PAMC meeting for setting up of a warehouse and dormitory for Erode.

For Bhiwandi, a project report will be submitted after completing the diagnostic study is underway for setting up facilities as per requirement of the weavers which includes a common facility centre, pre-weaving testing and training facilities, marketing complex and group workshed for shutteleless looms.

A detailed conceptual report was approved for setting up of the mega cluster for Ichalkaranji comprising of common facility centres, mini industrial park with ready to use common work sheds and strengthening of existing marketing centre & industrial estates.

For Bhilwara (Rajasthan), seven special purpose vehicles have been set up for developing the mega cluster consisting of a processing centre, production centre for weaving and apparels, centre for apparel training and HRD, production centre for weaving, R&D centre & testing lab and a warehouse facility centre.

The implementation of various projects will be reviewed periodically by the PAMC and any other role as envisaged under the guidelines.