Centre accepts proposal to set up chem hub in Haldia
The Union ministry of chemicals & fertilisers has resolved to accept the West Bengal government’s proposal for setting up a chemical hub over 11,000 acres of land at Nayachara island near Haldia.
By TNN |
KOLKATA: The Union ministry of chemicals & fertilisers has resolved to accept the West Bengal government’s proposal for setting up a chemical hub over 11,000 acres of land at Nayachara island near Haldia. This is despite the fact that present central regulations require such hubs to be built on a minimum of 25,000 acres.
The central ministry is also favourably disposed about the land location and will shortly consider it along with proposals submitted by other states.
The West Bengal government had recently submitted a proposal for a Petroleum, Chemicals & Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in Nayachara island and urged the Centre to consider its proposal for an 11,000-acre complex. But what is unknown at this stage is whether the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government will shortly require to look at acquiring another 14,000 acres near Haldia to set up a second phase of the proposed chemical hub in step with the 25,000-acre central regulation.
“The West Bengal government recently submitted its proposal for a PCPIR in the state. Their proposal is initially for 11,000 acres at Nayachara island. They have also said the remaining 14,000 acres required under the guidelines for chemical hub will be offered soon.
We have decided to accept the proposal as only 40% of the land in any PCPIR will be for setting up industries. The remaining land will be used for setting up schools, engineering colleges, hospitals, housing and other infrastructure for the hub,” Union minister for chemicals, fertiliser and steel Ram Vilas Paswan said.
He was talking to reporters on the sideline of the formal inauguration of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Kolkata on Monday.
“One also needs to ensure that agricultural land is not taken over or existing buildings demolished for acquiring land for PCPIR. The state government’s proposal of setting up the PCPIR at Nayachara, and subsequently identifying more land is a viable proposition. Land identified also is good enough as it is not agricultural land and there are not too many dwelling houses,” he added.
Speaking at the occasion, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said: “I am a very unlucky person as the Opposition in our state is an irresponsible one. However, the Centre is very positive about our PCPIR proposal and I am sure we will soon overcome all land-related problems.” Mr Bhattacharjee further noted that the state government would soon submit a concrete proposal for acquiring a total of 25,000 acres for the proposed chemical hub venture that will be set up in multiple stages.
“Mr Bhattacharjee has informed me that there have been land acquisition problems in the state leading to delays and had requested me not to rule out West Bengal from the list. He has promised me that a total of 25,000 acres will be arranged to set up industries as well as requisite infrastructure including airport, national highway and railway tracks. Additionally, investments of about Rs 10,000 crore will be arranged for,” said Mr Paswan.
“Nevertheless, this proposal submitted by the Bengal government will be forwarded by our ministry to a high-powered committee set up by the government which will then be taken up by the Union Cabinet. Four states — Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and West Bengal — had shown interest initially. Recently, Orissa and Tamil Nadu have also shown interest,” said Mr Paswan.
The central ministry is also favourably disposed about the land location and will shortly consider it along with proposals submitted by other states.
The West Bengal government had recently submitted a proposal for a Petroleum, Chemicals & Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in Nayachara island and urged the Centre to consider its proposal for an 11,000-acre complex. But what is unknown at this stage is whether the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government will shortly require to look at acquiring another 14,000 acres near Haldia to set up a second phase of the proposed chemical hub in step with the 25,000-acre central regulation.
“The West Bengal government recently submitted its proposal for a PCPIR in the state. Their proposal is initially for 11,000 acres at Nayachara island. They have also said the remaining 14,000 acres required under the guidelines for chemical hub will be offered soon.
We have decided to accept the proposal as only 40% of the land in any PCPIR will be for setting up industries. The remaining land will be used for setting up schools, engineering colleges, hospitals, housing and other infrastructure for the hub,” Union minister for chemicals, fertiliser and steel Ram Vilas Paswan said.
He was talking to reporters on the sideline of the formal inauguration of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Kolkata on Monday.
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“One also needs to ensure that agricultural land is not taken over or existing buildings demolished for acquiring land for PCPIR. The state government’s proposal of setting up the PCPIR at Nayachara, and subsequently identifying more land is a viable proposition. Land identified also is good enough as it is not agricultural land and there are not too many dwelling houses,” he added.
Speaking at the occasion, chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said: “I am a very unlucky person as the Opposition in our state is an irresponsible one. However, the Centre is very positive about our PCPIR proposal and I am sure we will soon overcome all land-related problems.” Mr Bhattacharjee further noted that the state government would soon submit a concrete proposal for acquiring a total of 25,000 acres for the proposed chemical hub venture that will be set up in multiple stages.
“Mr Bhattacharjee has informed me that there have been land acquisition problems in the state leading to delays and had requested me not to rule out West Bengal from the list. He has promised me that a total of 25,000 acres will be arranged to set up industries as well as requisite infrastructure including airport, national highway and railway tracks. Additionally, investments of about Rs 10,000 crore will be arranged for,” said Mr Paswan.
“Nevertheless, this proposal submitted by the Bengal government will be forwarded by our ministry to a high-powered committee set up by the government which will then be taken up by the Union Cabinet. Four states — Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and West Bengal — had shown interest initially. Recently, Orissa and Tamil Nadu have also shown interest,” said Mr Paswan.
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