Chennai: Kancheepuram, known for its silk sarees and temples, will soon see its range of silk products transcending borders and ensuring livelihood opportunities for the traditional silk weavers.The silk park project in neighbouring Kancheepuram that has been delayed for about two years owing to land acquisition problems, is all set to take off with the state government allocating about 75 acres for the Centrally-sponsored project.
The celebrated silk from Kancheepuram is characterised by its tightly twisted three-ply, high-denier threads and pure zari in a double warp and weft patterning.Silk saree making in Kancheepuram, about 60 km from here, is one of the oldest professions and the weavers there are known for producing excellent hand-woven, matchless, 6-yard dreams.The silk weavers of Kanchi who had settled over 400 years ago have given the products an enviable reputation in the country.
According to handlooms and textiles minister S. Gokula Indira, the state government had allotted the land for the project and the work on establishing the Arignar Anna Handloom and Silk Park is under way at Keezhkathirpur.It will be set up under the Integrated Textile Park Project (ITPP) and former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was instrumental in allocating Rs 7.54 crore towards establishing the park, accounting for 9 per cent of the total project cost amounting to Rs83.83 crore.
The state government will provide all basic infrastructure like road, drinking water, drainage and dyeing reprocessing unit at the park and it will have all infrastructure needed for handloom and silk industry.The park will facilitate direct and indirect employment to about 10,000 persons.
