Works suspended following row over construction of stadium at KSIC filature

Amid the hue and outcry implicit the operation of a projected stadium successful Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) filature mill successful T. Narsipur -- which supplies earthy silk for manufacture of the famed Mysore Silk saris -- the civilian works for the stadium task person reportedly been suspended pending a high-level gathering betwixt the Departments of Sericulture and Youth Empowerment and Sports.

Ongoing protest

Employees of the filature factory, who are connected onslaught for the past fewer days against the projected stadium successful the mill which falls successful Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Varuna Assembly constituency, are demanding a steadfast warrant that the stadium volition beryllium shifted elsewhere.

Managing manager of KSIC Zehera Naseem met Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy successful Mysuru connected Monday, seemingly to code the situation and sources bespeak that Nirmiti Kendra, a State authorities endeavor that has been assigned the enactment to physique a bound partition for the projected stadium, has been orally instructed to support the enactment successful abeyance for astir 3 days.

The transportation of 5 acres retired of the 13 successful the factory, approved by KSIC’s committee of directors, to the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports for the stadium announced by Mr. Siddaramaiah successful the 2025 Budget, has been opposed by the employees and has besides been condemned by citizens groups and environmentalists.

Why it is important

The filature is simply a cardinal portion successful the Mysuru Silk ecosystem, operating 2 automatic reeling machines (ARMs) and processing astir 2,000 to 2,500 kg of cautiously selected cocoons from markets specified arsenic Kollegal, Ramanagara, and Sidlaghatta. It produces astir 200 to 250 kg of high-quality earthy silk utilized successful Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged Mysuru Silk saris.

The five-acres of “buffer” onshore identified for the stadium is considered “critical” for the factory’s functioning. The histrion screen helps mitigate vigor and odour, portion the unfastened onshore is utilized for disposing of cinder ash generated from coal-fired boilers. The installation besides maintains a month’s banal of cocoons treated with blistery air.

Growing demand

The connection has besides raised concerns arsenic KSIC was reportedly readying to grow accumulation to conscionable increasing demand. The popularity of Mysuru Silk saris is evident from the queues extracurricular the KSIC showroom connected Mananthavadi Road, wherever customers often enactment up arsenic aboriginal arsenic 4 a.m. connected days erstwhile caller banal arrives.

The filature employs astir 192 workers — astir of them women connected declaration from economically weaker sections — who fearfulness nonaccomplishment of livelihood if the portion is downsized, relocated oregon shut, sources said.