Leather cluster plans for Tiruvannamalai
31 January 2012The Indian central government’s proposed leather cluster for Tamil Nadu, that was announced in the Union Budget 2011-2012, is likely to be located near Tiruvannamalai. The process of land acquisition and other formalities are underway, members of the Council for Leather Exports said in a press conference on January 30.
At a press briefing prior to IILF, Southern India Chairman of CLE, P R Aqeel Ahmed, said that the Small Industries Development Corporation has been asked to set up a cluster that is expected to boost the leather sector in the state of Tamil Nadu.
‘Almost 88 acres of the required 100 acres has been identified though the notification for the cluster is yet to come,’ he said. While the project cost has been estimated at Rs 160 crore ($32 million), whether additional funds would be required would be known once all studies are completed, he said, adding that 80% of the project cost would be provided by the government. The cluster is expected to be a one-stop destination for everything connected with the leather industry- from manufacturing of leather goods to marketing.