Jute weaving park to be set up in Chennai

In a bid to position jute as an all-purpose fibre, the Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC) is planning to set up a model jute weaving park at Anakaputhur on the outskirts of Chennai. The park is likely to provide employment for more than 1,000 people.

The park, that would come up in a total area of two acres, will house around 30 worksheds, accommodating handlooms. The construction is expected to be completed by April 2006. The Union government will grant more than Rs 20 lakh under the Textile Centre Infrastructure Development Scheme for setting up the park.

"The thrust would be on producing jute sarees blended with other natural fibres such as silk and cotton. The raw material would be sourced from Kolkata," according to an officer from the National Centre for Jute Diversification (NCJD).

Addressing a press conference on the sidelines of inaugurating a jute fair organised by JMDC, A Elangovan, secretary, department of Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi, said that jute bags and other diversified products should be preferred to synthetic ones, as they are economical and eco-friendly.

Various institutions like NCJD's jute service centres at Chennai and Coimbatore and South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) would provide technical support to entrepreneurs in the development of jute diversified products.

There are 78 major composite jute mills in the country, of which 61are in West Bengal, seven in Andhra Pradesh, three each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and one each in Assam, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura.

Besides, there 10 major Export Oriented Units (EOUs) in the sector.