Jamshedpur : The state industry department has sent required clarifications over the 54 acres forest land which comes under the 276-acres Special Economic Zone (SEZ ) at the Adityapur industrial zone.
The delay of forest and environment green signal from the Centre over the forest land was posing a hurdle in setting up the project , which is being set up under the guidance of Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (AIADA).
Managing director, AIADA Jugal Kishore Choubey said that the project will get fillip as the Centre’s nod for the SEZ is expected by mid-February. He said out as soon as the necessary clearance is obtained, they would give permission for setting up industrial units in the plot.
Choubey said that the proposed SEZ will come up behind the ONGC-owned bottling plant in Gamharia.
” It is one of the most ambitious projects that will pave way for industrial growth. Out of 276 acres, over 150 acres of land has already been allotted to the private and public sector units. The remaining 126 acres 54 acres of land falls under the forest department.
Since land falls under the forest department, the AIADA had to take initiative for getting the forest and environment clearance from the Centre through the state industry department,” said Choubey.
The AIADA managing director said that they had sent for the forest and environment clearance in 2009. However, the Forest and Environment Ministry, New Delhi had in 2013 sought clarifications on certain points, which include the status of the proposed SEZ and whether any part of the 276 acres earmarked for the SEZ was allotted to any industrial units.
“We are happy to share that we have sent the clarifications as sought by the Centre and mentioned that 150 acres of land has already allotted to the private and public sector undertakings and remaining 126 acres, including 54 acres of forest land is lying vacant due to the environment clearance,” said senior official.
Choubey said that the state industries department has already forwarded the AIADA’s clarification over the SEZ’s land status and has intimated the AIADA about the development. As soon the Centre’s nod for the SEZ is obtained, the industrial units will get an opportunity to set up one’s industrial unit.
It may be noted that the sprawling Adityapur Industrial Area houses 1200 units- including 11 large-scale, 64 small scale and 166 tiny industries.
A few important industries that have global presence are Usha Martin Group, RSB Group, Tata Steel Growth Shop (TGS) etc., too situated in this industrial belt, situated in Seraikela-Kharsawan. There are 20 industries, which export its products to the USA, Australia and other European countries.