Three SEZ developers in Odisha awaiting extension

Development commissioner has recommended extension, matter is pending with Board of Approvals under commerce ministry

Three developers of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Odisha- Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL), Saraf Agencies and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) are awaiting extension of approvals for their projects.

The development commissioner of Falta SEZ has recommended extension of approvals of the three developers given the progress made by the developers. The matter is pending with the Board of Approvals under Union ministry of commerce & industry.

The validity of approval for VAL's sector specific SEZ at Bhurkamunda near Jharsuguda meant for manufacture and export of aluminium, will expire on May 22. The development commissioner has recommended extension for one year considering the advanced status of the project. The SEZ developer has been granted four extensions since its first approval on May 23, 2007.

VAL's 1.25 million tonne per annum (mtpa) aluminium smelter set up as a sector specific SEZ is lying idle presently for want of power. The company has already invested Rs 12,000 crore on the smelter complex.

The commissioning of VAL's multi-product SEZ at Jharsuguda has been delayed considerably due to want of state specific SEZ policy. Due to lack of the policy, various government departments were unable to extend the SEZ benefits.

The commissioning of the SEZ facility promised to boost the local economy by generating business potential worth Rs 15,000 crore every year. Direct and indirect employment opportunities for nearly 12,000 persons are set to be created.

For Saraf Agencies, the validity period of its mineral based SEZ at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district has lapsed on February 26. The SEZ stands notified over an area of 105.19 hectares (ha).

Kolkata-based Saraf Agencies had proposed to set up a titanium dioxide plant at an investment of Rs 1200 crore.

The company had acquired around 230 acres of land, including 199-acres of private land for the project in 2008. Around 300 people of four villages- Tikiria Berhampur, Kanamana, Chandrapada and Mayipatna had lost their lands for the project.

Similarly, Idco has sought extension of approval for its IT/ITes (IT enabled services) SEZ for one year. The SEZ has been notified on an area of 106.26 ha at Gaudakashipur village in Khurda district.

The developer has obtained environment clearance for the project from State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). Software major Infosys Technologies has been roped in as co-developer and anchor tenant in the SEZ. The IT giant has been alloted 50 acres of land within the SEZ for its development centre.

Idco is also going to sign a pact with Hsinchu Science Park of Taiwan for establishing a dedicated IT/ITes electronics park within the notified SEZ.

Development of external infrastructure for the SEZ like four lane access road, 132 KV power substation as well as the feeder transmission line is underway.