The Hindu Business Line : TIDCO to start marketing space at Ennore SEZ

The details
Final notification likely at the next meeting of the Board of Approval.
No hassles over land acquisition as entire land is with Government agencies.

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Chennai Feb. 9 The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) plans to start marketing space at the multiproduct SEZ in Ennore from April.

The Government has sanctioned funds for road and rail connectivity with the State-level Export Promotion Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr L.K. Tripathy, sanctioning Rs 26 crore for the works. Expected to be the first of the multiproduct special economic zones to take off in the State, it is in the final stages of approval.

TIDCO plans to implement the road and rail work immediately with Rs 16 crore for the road linking it to the Ennore Port and Rs 10 crore for a 3-km rail link, according to officials.

The SEZ is promoted by TIDCO, which holds a 50 per cent stake. The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) and the Ennore Port hold 25 per cent equity each. They have promoted Ennore SEZ Company Ltd for developing the port-based multiproduct SEZ. The equity in the first phase is Rs 100 crore with the project estimated to cost Rs 600 crore, including land, for development.

Mahindra Acres Consulting Engineers Ltd has submitted the draft master plan for the 3,000-acre SEZ.

No land issues

The Ennore SEZ is among the ones that have been granted in-principle approval and the final notification is expected at the next meeting of the Board of Approval. Officials pointed out that there are no land acquisition hassles as the entire land meant for the SEZ is available with the Government agencies. The paper work for transferring the land available with the Tamil Nadu Salt Corporation is in the final stages and TIDCO has sought transfer of an additional 1,000 acres.

The Ennore SEZ has generated keen interest among manufacturers due to the large chunk of ready space available. Officials pointed out that to the South and West of Chennai there was little space available and land prices were spiralling upwards. North Chennai with the road, rail and port link offers an ideal location for industries.

In addition to the road linking the SEZ to the Ennore Port to the South, the port itself is provides a six- or eight-lane road connecting it to the NH 5 leading to Kolkata.

The SEZ will provide space for non-polluting industries such as engineering, information technology, auto components, garments and leather products. It would have container freight station facilities and free trade warehousing zone.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Financial Institutions | Tamil Nadu

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