Ballari Gears Up as Rahul Gandhi Expected to Inaugurate Jeans Park Amidst Price Cuts

Ballari is poised to potentially become a major jeans manufacturing hub with the expected inauguration of the new Ballari Jeans Park by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. This initiative aims to revitalize Ballari as a prominent center for jeans production and create numerous employment opportunities in North Karnataka.

The Karnataka state government has significantly reduced the land allotment price for industrial plots within the park, slashing it from ₹1.35 crore to ₹67.5 lakh per acre. This move is intended to attract textile investments, particularly from small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and boost economic activity in the region. Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil has stated that this decision marks a significant step towards establishing Ballari as a key hub for the textile industry's future.

The Ballari Jeans Park is located at Sanjeevarayana Kote, approximately 10 km from Ballari. The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has acquired 154 acres for the project. KIADB Assistant Executive Engineer Govind Naik has confirmed that land acquisition is complete and work orders have been issued. The project has been moving forward, with tenders floated for its development.

The park aims to consolidate the activities of over 500 jeans manufacturing units already operating in Ballari and Mundargi. The goal is to provide these businesses with access to national and international markets while also curbing unhealthy price competition. The new facility will also include effluent treatment plants, eliminating the need for individual units to manage their own waste.

Rahul Gandhi's commitment to establishing a jeans park in Ballari dates back to his Bharat Jodo Yatra, where he pledged to create products with a "Made in Ballari" tag. This commitment was further reinforced in the 2024 state budget. During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rahul Gandhi interacted with workers and owners of Ballari's jeans manufacturing units, assuring them of the establishment of a Jeans Park. He later wrote to the Industries Department on August 1, 2023, urging the project's implementation.

While the project has garnered significant support, some concerns have been raised by industry representatives. Sirivelu Ibrahim, leader of the Jeans Washing Units Association, has pointed out persistent issues in the Mundargi industrial area and questioned the feasibility of operations in Sanjeevarayana Kote due to its distance from the city. Yashwantraj Nagireddy, President of the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has flagged corruption in Mundargi plot allocations and expressed concerns about similar practices resurfacing in Sanjeevarayana Kote.

Officials are optimistic that the project will be completed within 12-18 months. The establishment of the Ballari Jeans Park is expected to provide a significant boost to Ballari's economy and its garment industry, with the potential to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.