The South Gujarat Textile Processors Association (SGTPA) is taking the lead in lobbying the development of a 600 million litres per day (MLD) deep sea discharge pipeline to facilitate industrial development in South Gujarat.

The textile processing and chemical industries, under SGTPA leadership, have come together to fast track the Rs. 5,000 crore (US $ 602 million) project. A no objection certificate from the Gujarat Maritime Board has been provided, which is a key milestone. The pipeline is expected to provide beneficial industries in and around Surat and provide necessary connection to the proposed PM MITRA Park in Vansi Borsi from the Navsari district.

Jitu Vakharia, President of the SGTPA, stated, “The project will become an important factor in fostering new industries and in developing the existing industries. Waste from 7 treatment plants can be disposed into the deep sea safely and massively without resultant environmental damage.”

The new pipeline design will further reduce costs of water treatment plants and relieve the demands on existing water treatment facilities.

Vakharia stated that 20% of the overall cost is to be covered by industry, and 80% will be incurred by the State Government. The urgency is undeniable, since due to the water treatment plants working at capacity, industrial growth is coming to a halt.

Previous pipeline route proposals were refused because of the environment; thus, a new location has been proposed. The project is ready to re-imagine the industrial footprint of the stakeholder’s locality with collective efforts and continued state support.