Govt Asks RIL to Cut Size of Its Maha Mumbai SEZ

March 29, 2007	(2 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)  Loading ...
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Reliance Industries may require to cut down the size of the proposed multi product Maha Mumbai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) from 10,000 hectares to 5,000 hectares. It has been decided to prevent dislodging farmers who are unwilling to relocate. The decision is likely to be taken at the next meet of the empowered group of ministers (eGoM) on SEZs.

The company has faced a strong protest from the farmer groups, political parties and small businesses intensifying in the state, the government’s proposal could be seen as an effort to avoid the same violence that took place in West Bengal’s Nandigram.

If Reliance cuts on its operations by half in Maha Mumbai, the sensitive areas could be excluded from the zone and peace can be restored, say the officials. Also, the land planned for the development of Maha Mumbai SEZ was more than the required. The situation is becoming worst. For that reason, Pranab Mukherjee, the foreign minister is likely to ask Reliance to reduce the size of the SEZ. Further, the date of EGoM will decide about the future course of the SEZ policy.

The Board of Approvals says to have asked the Maharashtra government to ponder over the size of RIL’s SEZ after it received a number of representations. Despite all, Maharashtra Government has given a nod for the acquisition of over 10,000 hectares and that land being a state subject.

A number of villagers have protested the SEZ project to be built by RIL.  Of the 45 villages from the three Talukas of Pen, Urban and Panvel to be acquired, the company was not even able to final the deal with 20 villages from Uran Taluka.

News Published Under:   Mumbai, Special Economic Zones |

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