The Hindu Business Line : Videocon plans semiconductor, LCD complex near Mumbai

Mumbai, Sept 26 Videocon Industries Ltd is planning to set up a semiconductor and LCD complex near Mumbai. The company has sought 200 hectares from the Maharashtra Government for the project, which is estimated to entail an investment of Rs 8,000 crore.

The project could generate employment for 10,000 people, of which 50 per cent would be directly employed and the rest indirectly, said an official familiar with the development.

Mr V.K. Jairath, Secretary (Industries) of Maharashtra Government, has confirmed that the company has approached the State Government with the project proposal.

He told Business Line that the investment in the project would be to the tune of $2 billion. The company has sought water and power supply for the project at lower rates. The State Government is looking at ways in which power could be made available at lower rates, he said.

“The investment is part of the larger industrial policy of the State to promote semiconductor industry,” Mr Jairath said.

Sources in Maharashtra Government said the project envisages export of 50 per cent of the produced goods.

Mr R.N. Dhoot of the Videocon Industries met the Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, last week and is understood to have made a detailed presentation on the project.

When contacted by Business Line, Mr Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman, Videocon, denied that his company was setting up a semiconductor project in the State. He also denied that company was trying to acquire land near Mumbai for the project. The project could come up overseas, he said.

Industry sources said that semiconductor manufacturing needs large quantities of water with high degree of purity. The water cannot be reused for the manufacturing process. A semiconductor plant near Mumbai has the advantage of assured waster supply and better road connectivity.

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