Jewellery park ground-breaking ceremony on December 5

The bhumi pujan ceremony of the Gem & Jewellery Park, to be developed at Ichhapore in Surat by the Gujarat Hira Bourse (GHB), will be held on December 5.

"The Gem & Jewellery Park will give a major thrust to the diamond and jewellery industry of Gujarat. The park will generate huge employment opportunities and, due to the Central government's decision to convert it into a special economic zone, it will also earn precious foreign exchange for the country," Gujarat Hira Bourse secretary Nanu Vanani said.

The park, which will comprise approximately 400 units, will be spread over 10 lakh sq mt in Ichhapore.

GHB has acquired this land from GIDC for Rs 22.50 crore.

In addition to having worldclass infrastructure, the jewellery park will also be equipped with a trading centre, design centre, display centre, training centre, convention centre, etc. Along with gem & jewellery manufacturing, a centre for sale/purchase of rough and polished diamonds, will also be built in the park.

GHB had planned the jewellery park project more than an year back, but the same got delayed due to opposition from Ichhapore farmers. According to the farmers, their land was placed under reservation by GIDC for developing industrial sheds, several years back.

The industries could not be developed, and the farmers sought their land back, but GIDC refused the same. In the meantime, GHB approached GIDC for purchasing the land, to develop the jewellery park.

Despite protests of the farmers, who also approached the Gujarat High Court, a deal was worked out between GIDC and GHB, with the latter acquiring the land at Ichhapore for Rs 22.50 crore.

"We have acquired the land from GIDC. If there is any dispute, it is between the farmers and the government - we have nothing to do with it. And anyway, the High Court has not admitted the plea of the farmers, and hence there is no controversy or dispute about the land," Vanani said.

"The Bhumi Pujan of the jewellery park will be held on December 5. Chief minister Narendra Modi has consented to remain present at the ceremony. Former union rural development minister Kashiram Rana, water resources minister Narottam Patel, industries minister Anil Patel and energy minister Saurabh Dalal, will also be there. We are also in touch with Union commerce minister Kamalnath to see if he could also attend the ceremony," he said.

"Our target is to complete the entire project between one-and-a half to two years. We are confident of achieving this target. The jewellery park will be a great thing, and help the local diamond and jewellery industry, scale new heights," Vanani added.