Kutch to attract Rs 40,000 crore worth investments in next three years

On the back of minerals, land availability and port proximity, the Kutch region is expected to attract investments worth Rs 40000 crore in next 2-3 years, Mahendra Patel, IAS, Collector, Kutch said on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of Industrial Promotion Cell (IPC) that is set to come up in Kutch district, Patel said that the investments will be led by both large and small sized projects in the areas of cement, power and minerals, among others. The industrial promotion cell was inaugurated on Monday by Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel.

"While companies like Reliance ADA, Binani and DLF are setting up cement plants in the region, the likes of IL&FS and OPG Power, among others are constructing coal and gas based power plants. In the next 2-3 years, Kutch will attract investments worth Rs 40000 crore," Patel claimed.

Among the upcoming projects, Patel claimed that Reliance ADA is setting up a 5.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of cement plant at an investment of Rs 5000 crore while Binani Cement and DLF are setting up cement plants of 4.5 MTPA and 3.4 MTPA capacities, respectively.

"On the other hand, the IL&FS power plant is part of its upcoming SEZ in Mandvi. The Kutch region will see in all 10000 Mw of power generation capacity being added in near future," Patel claimed.

Patel further added that along with the Federation of Kutch Industries Associations (FOKIA) and other such bodies, the Kutch administration will look to promote the region for further investments and industrial growth in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2015 to be held on January 11-12.

Conceptualised by MS Patel, IAS Collector Kutch, the industrial promotion cell was developed with the support of leading industrial association FOKIA . The primary objective of the IPC is to facilitate investors in Kutch. This body will act as a nodal agency and will disseminate information regarding resource availability and entry procedures, provide prospective investors the necessary information such as required documentation, checklists and educate investors about government policies while purchasing land for the project.

"Thus, the entire process of setting up a new project in Kutch will be made efficient and effective. The cell will act as a one point solution for Investors coming to Kutch," Patel added.

Meanwhile, the Kutch collectorate has set up a hi-tech IPC at first floor, district industries center, Bhuj, in an area of roughly 1000 sq ft. "To ensure the professional and effective functioning of the cell, the government has partnered with FOKIA, which will serve as a knowledge partner to IPC," said Patel.