After seven years of dormancy, the Chamundeshwari Mega Silk Cluster is set to transform a 10-acre plot near Belavadi on the outskirts of Mysuru. Initially sanctioned by the Union government in 2017 with a generous allocation of Rs 49 crore, the project languished in uncertainty until now.
The initiative aims to rejuvenate sericulture, a cornerstone industry of the Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, and Ramanagar regions. With Mysore silk's coveted geographic indication tag highlighting its distinctiveness, the cluster promises a surge in employment opportunities, bolstering the local economy and nurturing silk-related enterprises.
The Karnataka State Textile Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSTIDCL), tasked with spearheading the project, has embarked on groundwork and surmounted hurdles, notably land acquisition. Endorsed by the Union government, KSTIDCL assumes the pivotal roles of cluster management and technical oversight.
Out of the total project cost of Rs 49.2 crore, the Union government's funding comprises 60 per cent, with the state government contributing Rs 10 crore, and the remainder sourced from entrepreneurs. A meticulously crafted blueprint, aided by the Infrastructure Development Corporation Karnataka Limited (I-DECK), envisions essential amenities encompassing roads, drainage systems, water, power, and waste management facilities.
The cluster's infrastructure will accommodate 24 industrial sheds, catering to silk-centric ventures such as yarn dyeing, fabric printing, and more. This initiative, one of six nationwide under the revamped National Handloom Development Programme, has already received an initial infusion of Rs 2.5 crore from the Union government.
However, delays have escalated the project's estimated cost to Rs 76 crore, prompting a revised proposal. Yet, the Union government has mandated adherence to the original budget, emphasizing efficient execution. As tenders are floated, imminent commencement of cluster-related development heralds optimism, albeit underscored by the imperative of expedited progress.
The Chamundeshwari Mega Silk Cluster embodies not merely a developmental endeavor but a promise of resurgence for the region's silk legacy, urging swift action to translate aspirations into tangible prosperity.
