Industrial units in Rohtak, Haryana, are facing a severe operational crisis due to chronic shortages of electricity and water. This has forced many factories to halt production, causing significant financial losses and threatening the local economy.
Infrastructure Failures Cripple Production
The heart of the problem lies in the dilapidated state of the industrial areas' basic infrastructure. Industrialists report that power cuts are frequent and prolonged, sometimes lasting for over 12 hours a day. The existing electricity cables and transformers are outdated and unable to handle the load, leading to frequent breakdowns.
The water supply situation is equally dire. The pipelines are old and rusted, resulting in contaminated water and extremely low pressure. Many units have been compelled to rely on expensive private water tankers, which drastically increases their operational costs. Production has come to a standstill in several factories as they cannot run machinery without a reliable power and water supply.
Administration's ₹20 Crore Response Plan
In response to the growing outcry, the Rohtak district administration has formulated a plan to overhaul the infrastructure. Deputy Commissioner Sh. Ajay Kumar, along with officials from the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and the Public Health and Engineering Department, conducted inspections of the affected areas including Industrial Area Phase 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Following the review, the administration has announced a comprehensive upgrade project. The plan includes the installation of new high-capacity transformers and the replacement of old power cables to ensure a stable electricity supply. For the water crisis, the strategy involves laying new pipelines and boosting the supply mechanism.
The estimated cost for this infrastructure revival is around ₹20 crore. The Deputy Commissioner has directed the concerned departments to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) promptly so that work can commence without delay.
Industrialists' Plea for Swift Action
While the announcement of the upgrade plan has brought some hope, industrialists remain anxious. They have appealed to the administration to ensure that the project is executed on a fast-track basis. The continued losses are unsustainable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the local industrial landscape.
They emphasize that a permanent solution is needed, not temporary fixes. The success of this upgrade is crucial not only for the survival of existing units but also for attracting new investment to the region. The administration has assured that monitoring will be rigorous to guarantee timely completion of the work.
The situation in Rohtak highlights a critical challenge for industrial growth in many parts of India: the gap between establishing industrial zones and maintaining their core utilities. The planned ₹20 crore investment is a test case for whether proactive administrative intervention can revive struggling industrial hubs and restore confidence among business owners.
