UK firm to set up mega project in Himachal

Mott Macdonald, a top multi-disciplinary British engineering, management and business consultancy firm, is keen to set up a mega project in Himachal Pradesh.

The company is looking for a large 40 sq km patch of land in the state under the Centre's recently introduced Information Technology Investment Region Scheme, said officials of the company who have been holding meetings with state government officials.

The proposed project will include education, health institutions,an industrial hub, public utilities,residential areas and an integrated township among other infrastructure.

Officials of the British company said they consider Himachal Pradesh as an ideal environment-friendly destination for setting up a mega project in private-public partnership.

Under the scheme, the Centre will facilitate development of national highways, airports and rail links for such projects. While the states will pitch in building local infrastructure like land, power, water, health, education and roads.

But sources in state government say they are not in a position to provide the Macdonald group a single 40 sq km patch of land and have told the company to instead look for smaller patches of land to set up the ambitious project.

The company is reportedly keen to set up the project in the Waknaghat-Kunihar region.