KKCCI Urges Faster Implementation of PM MITRA Mega Textile Park in Kalyana Karnataka
Memorandum Submitted to Karnataka Minister Calls for Expedited Infrastructure, Clearances and Revival of Shahabad Heavy Engineering Plant
A delegation from the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KKCCI) submitted a memorandum to Minister for Large, Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development M B Patil in Kalaburagi on Wednesday, requesting faster implementation of the PM MITRA Mega Textile Park in the region.
In the memorandum, KKCCI President Sharanabasappa Pappa and Honorary Secretary Shivaraj Inginshetty stated that the textile park has the potential to transform Kalyana Karnataka into a major textile and apparel manufacturing hub.
The chamber noted that the project is progressing at a slower pace compared to other PM MITRA Parks sanctioned across the country, where infrastructure development and investor mobilisation have advanced more rapidly.
KKCCI requested the government to ensure the early completion of pending infrastructure works, statutory approvals, utility connections and other essential clearances so that the project can be implemented at the earliest.
According to the chamber, early operationalisation of the textile park would help attract domestic and international investments, generate large-scale employment opportunities, strengthen the textile value chain, increase exports and enable Kalaburagi to match the progress achieved by other PM MITRA Parks.
Call for Revival of Shahabad Heavy Engineering Plant
The memorandum also sought government intervention to address the long-pending non-operative status of the Heavy Engineering Plant at Shahabad, established in 1965.
The plant was one of South India’s major heavy engineering manufacturing facilities, producing high-pressure boilers, pressure vessels, coal pulverisers, heat exchangers, heavy fabrication equipment and other critical engineering products for the power, cement, steel and process industries.
KKCCI stated that the plant played an important role in Karnataka’s industrial development by providing employment to thousands of engineers, technicians and skilled workers while supporting ancillary industries and local businesses.
The chamber observed that the plant and its integrated residential township have remained non-operative for more than a decade despite possessing more than 300 acres of industrial and residential infrastructure. It noted that the idle infrastructure has resulted in lost employment opportunities and prolonged economic stagnation in Shahabad.
According to the memorandum, reviving the facility would complement the state government's "Build Beyond Bengaluru" initiative by creating a major manufacturing hub in Kalyana Karnataka. It also stated that the revival could generate direct and indirect employment, support MSMEs and ancillary industries, attract fresh investments, strengthen the regional industrial ecosystem and restore Shahabad's industrial legacy.
KKCCI further stated that General Electric (GE/GE Vernova), which owns the plant, has no plans to recommence manufacturing operations. The chamber requested the government to initiate high-level discussions with the company's leadership and explore appropriate policy and legal measures to facilitate the productive utilisation of the industrial infrastructure.