Cycle Valley Project a Great Set Back for Ludhiana Bicycle Industry

Ludhiana, May 10, 2016: Sh.Avtar Singh President CICU said that the initiative taken by Sh.Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab visit to China for getting transfer of expertise to rejuvenate Punjab industry is highly commendable. Bringing latest technology and high tech machinery for up-gradation of local bicycles industry is a welcome step to face global competition.
Ludhiana has fledging industry dedicated to bicycles and bicycles parts. Out of about 1.45 crore bicycles manufactured in country annually, 90% of production takes place in Ludhiana. The installed capacity of 5 or 6 corporate units here is around 60000 bicycles a day. This reveals that about 75000 bicycles are being manufactured here by small scale units. About 3000 units are engaged in bicycles industry in the city, another 1000 units are working as cottage industry and around 1000 similar units are working in other States of our country. Ludhiana bicycle industry is well known in the Asian Market. The contribution of small scale units is very significant in this sector.
The proposed Cycles Valley Project to be established at 300 acres of Dhanansu village, which was declared as New Focal Point Ludhiana last year is a causing concern for local small scale cycle industry.
Sh. Upkar Singh Ahuja, General Secretary said that costly land is great impediment and hindrance for growth and establishment of new Industries here. Ludhiana Industry particularly MSME Sector is facing acute shortage of land as after 1992, no Focal Point (Industrial Area) is established in Ludhiana. Establishment of New Focal Point in Dhanansu Village has brought cheer for further growth, development and expansion of local industry.
Local bicycles manufacturers are already worried over the ever increasing imports from China and shrinking exports. They fear that setting up Cycle Valley in collaboration with Chinese manufacturers will further adversely affect the local small scale cycle industry. Practically major international players i.e. Hero, Avon, TI Cycles will greatly benefit from this project which will in turn ruin the small scale cycle manufacturing units. Other industry comprising auto parts, machine tools, fasteners and hand tools will suffer adversely due to reallocation of already earmarked Dhanansu Village land for New Focal Point to Cycle Valley.
They have requested, appealed and urged upon Sh. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab not to dispense with establishment of New Focal Point at Dhanansu Village at the cost of setting up Cycle Valley Project there.