The Silk Park that was inaugurated in Malda last year by chief minister Mamata Banerjee will soon be handed over to those who are associated with silk cultivation and production in the district.

On Tuesday, a meeting was held regarding the prospects of the Silk Park at Madhughat. The producers and entrepreneurs discussed a series of issues with officials of district administration. They have demanded that the state government take initiatives to encourage private investments in the production of silk garments and apparel in the district.

Malda is as much famous for silk production as for mangoes. But the intrusion of Chinese silk has gradually affected the traditional silk industry in the district.

Those attached to production of quality silk have switched over to other sectors. In 2009, the then Left government had sent a proposal to the Centre to set up a silk park to rejuvenate the silk production units in Malda.

“The central government accepted the proposal and under the national fibre mission, a silk park was planned in Malda. It was a joint venture of the central and state governments. The work of building the park started in 2013 and last year, the chief minister inaugurated the park,” said Julfikar Ali, a silk producer of the district.

At the park, the east block is ready and the west block is on the verge of completion.

Recently, the West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation had issued an advertisement, stating that 20 plots, measuring five cottahs to nine cottahs, would be offered on lease. The price per katha is Rs 80,000 and the lease will be for 30 years.

Similarly, 50 building spaces will be rented out at the park against a monthly rental of Rs 7,000 per square feet.

“The last date for submission of applications online is August 22. Those who will opt for plots or building spaces will be taken for a tour to explain the facilities. We are putting all efforts to make the park functional,” Malda district magistrate Nitin Singhania said.

Along with the spaces, the park also has designated spaces for factories, common facility centres and warehouses. The administration also has plans to open a “silk haat,” where garments made of silk will be displayed for sale.

“This is a commendable venture which will boost the silk industry in Malda. All facilities will be available under one roof. Rolling, cutting, colouring and packaging of silk threads will be done here together. But we want the end product to be manufactured here. The silk threads produced in Malda are sent to other districts and states for garment production. We want garment units to come up here,” Ali, the producer, said.

Abhijit Goswami, a deputy director of the state sericulture department, said: “Once the park is functional, we will take initiatives to bring in garment producers. It would also create an opportunity for residents of the district and surrounding areas to buy local silk products.”