The Hindu Business Line : Empowered panel to take up SEZ plans on Dec 2

THE Empowered Committee on Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) will meet under the Chairmanship of the Commerce Secretary, Mr Dipak Chatterjee, on December 2 to take decisions pertaining to a clutch of special economic zones (SEZs) operating in different States.

Official sources told Business Line that these proposals would entail expenditure of around Rs 60 crore to be taken up in the current fiscal itself.

In the case of Cochin Special Economic Zones, the proposals include sanction of additional floor in construction of one more floor of 63,000 sq. ft at a cost of Rs 2.02 crore, reclamation of marshy lands, establishing optical fibre connectivity with the international gateway exchange of VSNL and upgradation and replacement of lifts.

In the case of Kandla SEZ, the proposals include providing chain link fencing to newly acquired 300 acres in KASEZ, Gandhidham to prevent encroachment and ensure safety.

In the case of Noida SEZ (Noida was among the several important export processing zones converted into SEZs), the proposal pertains to construction of facilitation centres comprising space for offshore banking units (OBUs)/ATMs/Customs handling/forwarding agents, electronic data interchange data entry centre and for general purpose shops.

In the case of Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), the proposals cover strengthening of storm water drain, creation of common facilities, construction of an underground water sump and a service management system.

The committee will also take up a proposal for replacement of the tippler at the Chennai port. The estimated cost is Rs 5.5 crore, of which release of Rs 1 crore is being sought under ASIDE with the remaining amount to be borne by MMTC Ltd, the sources said.

There is also a proposal for building road from National Highway-4B at Navghar to Bokadvira adjoining Navi Mumbai SEZ at a total cost of Rs 101.5 crore.

Some Rs 71.5 crore will be required for part-I involving clearing and grubbing, ground improvement, embankment, pavement, cross drainage work and pipe culverts, while Rs 30 crore will go for Part II for interchange at Navghar (flyover, direct ramps, and loop ramps). As the Department of Commerce does not extend assistance under ASIDE for flyovers, it is proposed to consider the proposal for Part-I of the project in building the road, the sources said.

"This road is a major link between the proposed Navi Mumbai SEZ, port-based industries and other developments in the South-West part of Dribagri Node and JNPT via the existing NH 4B." Post-facto approval of the panel is also being sought, among others, for improvement of different link roads in Section I of Falta SEZ, river embankment of Hooghly at Falta SEZ, strengthening power infrastructure at Cochin SEZ and development of infrastructure of Petrapole Land Custom Station (LCS), besides additional sanction for infrastructure development at Petrapole LCS.

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