Struggling to keep its head above water, Ambattur counts its losses

South Asia's largest small-scale industrial hub lost ₹2,000 cr due to Chennai floods

The clash of metals and the aroma of welding fire and chemicals typically welcome visitors to the Ambattur region, housing South Asia's most extensive small-scale industrial estate, on an ordinary day.

However, a day after the deluge on Thursday, the atmosphere underwent a drastic change. Instead of the usual sounds of metalwork, the hum of motors flushing out water and an unpleasant odour of mud and dirty water greeted outsiders to this industrial hub.

What makes the region even more critical is that the floods directly and indirectly affected over 300,000 workers. Locating an owner of a unit on a flooded day was equally challenging, as the majority were occupied with assessing losses and cleaning their units.

According to state Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi overseeing relief and rescue operations at Ambattur, the region suffered losses amounting to 2,000 crore. The north phase of the Ambattur Industrial Estate, completely submerged, is home to about 1,500 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Established in 1964, the Ambattur Industrial Estate houses mainly automotive (auto) ancillary units catering to numerous large industries in Chennai and beyond.

When Business Standard spoke with Sathya Narayanan, owner of Udhayam Industries, in front of his flooded manufacturing unit, he was surrounded by at least 10 employees.