Chennai: The heavy downpour for the past few days has affected the functioning of small-scale industries in the city resulting in a revenue loss of over Rs 300 crore. Nearly 220 small units in Guindy Industrial Estate alone have been shut down, according to small industries sources.
“Over 80 per cent of employees working in different small scale units in Guindy industrial estate were not able to report for work for six continuous days. Moreover, blockade of the bridge near Thirumudi vakkam and severe water-logging in the surrounding areas have caused many from Guindy-Pallavaram areas to stop coming to work,” said T.Gopalakrishnan, chairman, Tanstia and Fredrick Numen foundation, an NGO that works for the welfare of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME).
He also complained that insurance officials have been ignoring calls and requests when contacted on the reimbursement for machinery damaged. Sources in the industry maintained that the revenue loss combined with the damage caused to machinery would touch a higher figure that has not been assessed.
“The most affected units are in Ambattur, Guindy and Vichur industrial estates where water-logging was more prevalent. Water damaged machinery. There is also water stagnation in some production units,” said K.Balaguruswamy, general manager, Sidco.
“However, a task force has been set up and all the losses incurred are been checked on a water-footing and necessary steps will be taken,” he added.
Industry sources complain that overflowing stormwater drain added to the woes. Meanwhile, water stagnation in over 10 units in northern Ambattur has led to terminating the operations of all automobile units for three days.
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