Industrialists at the HSIIDC Industrial Estate in Ambala Cantonment are once again anxious as the monsoon season approaches. Over the years, sophisticated machinery worth crores of rupees has been rendered defunct, and raw materials have been damaged by sludge and water. The estate, established in 1974-75, is the institutional core of Ambala's world-famous scientific instruments and glassblowing cluster, supplying 35 to 40 per cent of the country's scientific instruments and educational labware.
Location and Vulnerability
The industrial area lies near the Tangri river and suffers severe waterlogging when the river overflows during the rainy season. Industrialists report losses in crores due to waterlogging damaging products, costly machines, raw materials, furniture, and documents, especially in 2023 and 2025. The development of roads around the area has turned it into a low-lying zone, prone to flooding from the Tangri river every monsoon or during heavy rain.
Nearly 120 small and big industrial units, mainly in the scientific instrument industry, operate here. Some industrialists are considering shifting their units as they cannot bear the recurring flood losses.
Government Measures and Challenges
Alok Sood, a scientific apparatus manufacturer, highlighted that the industry faces rising production costs and competition from China, but repeated flooding causes severe losses. He said thousands of families depend on these industries, and the government must protect them. Following requests, the government decided to construct a retaining wall around the industrial area at a cost of Rs 10.76 crore. The RCC wall, designed by IIT-Roorkee, will be 2 km long.
In April, Haryana Cabinet Minister Anil Vij laid the foundation stone. The Irrigation Department is also deepening the Tangri riverbed, constructing temporary bundhs, and strengthening embankments to increase water-carrying capacity. However, to complete the wall, 166 trees (mostly eucalyptus) need to be cut urgently, as monsoon is near. Of these, 100 are dead. A case seeking permission for tree cutting is pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Industrialists' Precautions
Kapil Verma, another manufacturer, said dredging in the Tangri river was done in patches. The wall construction is underway but affected by the tree issue. Since the matter is in court, the work is unlikely to finish before monsoon, so industrialists are shifting machines and equipment to first floors.
Dr. Ashawant Gupta, Chairman of the Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ambala, said the delay and tree issues have affected the project. Insurance companies are demanding over ten times the premium for coverage, adding to woes. Last year, waterlogging reached about 8 feet due to the Tangri river. The chamber moved the High Court for permission to cut 166 trees, including 100 dead ones, urgently needed for the retaining wall. The Forest Department has granted permission, and a hearing is set for July 6. Dr. Gupta emphasized that this is a disaster management project affecting thousands of families.
HSIIDC Response
An HSIIDC official said 20-25 per cent of the wall work is complete, and construction is being expedited with more labour. Four pumps to drain water are functional, and the industrial area's bundh is being repaired. The tree issue is in court, and they hope for a quick resolution. HSIIDC is making all efforts to protect the estate from waterlogging losses.
