The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust has sought the powers of a Special Planning Authority so that it can fast-track the development of its 277-hectare SEZ.

The port management has been in talks with global manufacturing companies for setting up units in the SEZ.

JNPT Chairman Anil Diggikar told BusinessLine that a formal request has been made to the Maharashtra government, seeking enhanced powers for the faster development of infrastructure at the SEZ, he said.

The SEZ is a prime land parcel located about 5 km away from the port. By December, about 100 acres would be developed by JNPT.

Taiwanese electronics major Foxconn is seeking about 14 acres inside the SEZ for setting up a manufacturing facility.

CEO of JNPT SEZ S Sittarasu said that once the SPA status is granted under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, decisions on infrastructure development could be taken in-house. Then JNPT will not have to approach other agencies such as CIDCO for building permissions and other infra development permits.

Advantages Magus Consulting General Manager Vishal Mehra said that in executing SEZ, time is very crucial.

The SPA status will help companies in de-risking from pre- to post-execution phase while setting up their units.

The permissions for development plan and town plan for SEZ will be granted internally, which will provide immense flexibility to the port management, he said. Mehra added that as the port management is well-versed with the topography of the SEZ, pre-planning and site preparation can be done better by the JNPT staff.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW