Manufacturers at a prominent namkeen production hub in Indore have made a formal appeal to the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC). Their demand is clear: make the already constructed common Reverse Osmosis (RO) water treatment plant operational to maintain stringent quality standards as production ramps up.
The Heart of Indore's Namkeen Production
Located in Sector D on Sanwer Road, this industrial cluster is a vital cog in the machinery that produces the nationally celebrated Indore namkeen brand. The hub is home to approximately 35 units involved in manufacturing namkeen, bakery items, and sweets. Of these, close to 25 units dedicated to namkeen and bakery are currently active, supplying their products across the length and breadth of India.
Manufacturers highlighted that the cluster, situated about 6 kilometres from Bhagirathpura, receives its water supply from the MPIDC at a rate of Rs 51 per 1,000 litres. However, in the absence of a functioning common RO facility, most operational units have been forced to install and maintain their own individual RO systems on their premises to treat water before it is used in manufacturing.
A Critical Need for Uniform Quality
The industry representatives stressed that while MPIDC has also built a common laboratory and testing facility in the cluster, a working RO plant is equally crucial. It ensures consistent input water quality, which is fundamental to the final product's taste, safety, and compliance with regulations.
Pankaj Jain, a namkeen manufacturer and treasurer of the Namkeen Misthan Nirmata Evam Vikreta Kalyan Sangh, explained the urgency. "The common RO plant was not operational earlier as very few units were functional. Now, with close to 25 units in production, the need for a central facility became critical," he stated. He revealed that manufacturers recently held a meeting where there was a unanimous demand to start the plant, and the MPIDC was formally requested to issue tenders and commence operations.
Echoing this sentiment, Vipin Jain, another manufacturer from the cluster, noted that water samples are routinely sent to a private laboratory in Indore for testing. "RO-treated water is integral to our manufacturing process. A common RO facility will be beneficial for all units and ensure uniform quality standards," he asserted.
Boosting Compliance and Future Growth
The manufacturers argue that a functional common RO plant, working in tandem with the existing testing lab, would serve a dual purpose. Firstly, it would help individual units reduce their compliance-related costs. Secondly, and more importantly, it would strengthen the entire cluster's capacity to reliably meet national food safety and standards norms.
This move is seen as essential to support the growing nationwide demand for Indore namkeen. By centralising a key resource like purified water, the cluster can ensure scalability without compromising on the quality that has made the brand a household name.
