The textile city of Surat will soon get a green field and brownfield projects to address the environmental issues faced by the textile processing units in the city. These projects will be implemented under the Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The IPDS scheme is designed to address the environmental concerns faced by the textile processing units. About Rs500 crore for the project has been approved in the 12th five year plan.

The government intends to set up brown field and green field projects eligible under the scheme include common effluent treatment plant (CETP), captive power preferably renewable or green technology, infrastructure such as storm water management, necessary roads and pipelines for water and wastewater and facilities for testing and R&D centres.

According to Jitu Vakharia, president South Gujarat Textile Processors Association, in Surat there are over 350 textile processing units in Pandesara, Sachin and Palsana areas and do not have their own CETP, but the IPDS scheme will go a long way in setting up the required infrastructure to address the environmental issues. This will facilitate the industry to become globally competitive by using environment-friendly processing standards.