Surat: The Pandesara GIDC estate, one of Gujarat’s oldest industrial estates and among the earliest hubs of textile processing in India, witnessed an unprecedented shutdown of its textile processing units, the first such closure in its 51-year history.Established around 1975, the Pandesara GIDC estate grew into a major textile processing cluster and houses 129 textile processing units. All these units have been closed since July 7, after floodwaters entered factory premises due to overflowing drainage lines and the swelling of the Bhedwad creek.What began as a flood-triggered stoppage escalated into a wider operational crisis when the common effluent treatment plant (CETP), critical for processing, suffered major damage.“For the first time in history, the entire Pandesara GIDC estate was closed; such a situation has never arisen. We never thought of such a situation,” said Jitendra Vakhariya, president of the South Gujarat Textile Processors Association (SGTPA).Industry representatives said the CETP suffered damage, affecting not only core treatment operations but also essential infrastructure. “Furniture, computers and machinery suffered major damage in the floods. We are the oldest GIDC estate and we have never seen such a situation. We have been forced to close due to floods for the first time,” said Kamalvijay Tulsian, president of the Pandesara Industrial Association.After repairs, cleaning and restoration, the CETP resumed functioning. However, processing units still cannot restart because the Surat Municipal Corporation is unable to supply the treated water required. It is unclear when regular water supply will be restored.“First due to flooding and now due to unavailability of water, we can’t start our units. We hope water supply is restored soon,” an industry representative said.Apart from the textile processors, Pandesara GIDC also hosts 500 other units, raising broader concerns about industrial disruption.“The priority to supply water is to households in this post-flood situation. A tertiary water treatment plant in Dindoli has been closed due to flooding and once it is started, water will be supplied to industry,” said a Surat Municipal Corporation official.A similar situation unfolded in the Kadodara GIDC estate, where flooding is described by industry officials as an annual problem. Some 200 textile units, including 135 processing units, were forced to shut on July 7 and 8 due to flooding and its effect on CETP operations at Palsana Enviro Protection Ltd (PEPL).“We are facing forced closure due to flooding and the overflowing creek. Last year this happened as well and it has been repeated this year. We are prepared to find a solution along with the govt, so that this situation is not repeated,” said Ravindra Arya, chairman of PEPL.
