Ambala scientific cluster gears up for revival

The Scientific Instruments and Apparatus cluster at Ambala, which has over 1,200 units engaged in the manufacture of such instruments, is in a tight spot owing to global competition.

The cluster that is the largest in India in the field of scientific instruments and apparatus used in industry and educational institutions registered a drop in the business from close to Rs 800 crore three years back to approximately Rs 600 cr last year.

According to Ashwani Goel, a senior member of Ambala Scientific Instruments Manufacturers Association, “The business has been hit in domestic as well as export market due to technological upgradation by the manufacturers in the countries like China, Singapore, Taiwan and Korea”.

 

Goel apprised that automation intelligence system and technical input is in demand these days. He added that analogue output has been replaced by the digital output. But the manufacurers in Ambala have not stretched their strengths to achieving the international benchmark.

China is leading in optical and blown glass items and has an advantage of economies of scale. Korea, Singapre and Taiwan have achieved the edge in medical electronics.

The entrepreneurs are now seriously mulling over the efforts required to improve the quality parameters to save the cluster from the death knell.

The cluster members are trying to seek help from the department of Science and Technology Government of India for revival of the IDDC (Instrument Design and Development Centre) at Ambala set up in year 1982 that has become obsolete now.

The Government of India has proposed to set up four instrument hubs, two of these have already been decided at Kolkata and Chennai and Ambala can be one of them.

A lean manufacturing project under the National Productivity Council is also being pursued by the Ambala Industry.

The main thrust would come if they seek approval for Industrial Infratsructure Upgradation Scheme by Government of India that would provide a Common Facility Centre for the industry.

The Ambala Scientific Instruments Cluster is almost 100 years old and the complacency among the players, said most of the industrialist marred their growth.

They now plan to unite for the revival of the cluster providing employment to the large number of people and revenue to the state.