Salim proposes SEZ in Haldia

Kolkata, June 16 (UNI) Coming up with the proposal for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and participation in a chemical hub, Indonesian Salim Group today sought from the West Bengal Government a total of 35,000 acre of land for a series of ambitious projects.

Salim Group Chairman Benny Sontoso, who met Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers' Buildings, also proposed to construct a bridge over the Hooghly from Raichak to Kukrahati in South Twentyfour Parganas district in addition to his earlier proposals for construction of a state highway and setting up of a knowledge city and a health city in North Twentyfour Parganas district.

''Mr Sontoso has sought 25,000 acre of land for the proposed SEZ in Haldia of Midnapore district and development of social infrastructure in the area. He has also proposed to construct a river bridge from Raichak to Kukrahati stretching the road connectivity they have proposed to make from Barasat to Raichak. The Government will assess the proposals, '' Industry Minister Nirupam Sen told reporters after the one hour and 45 minute meeting.

Yesterday, Mr Sontoso had visited land for the proposed SEZ in Haldia.

The state government had already signed an MOU with the Salim Group, which had earlier shown interest in setting up a health city, knowledge city, housing project and a highway connecting Barasat in North 24 Parganas district to Raichak in South 24 Parganas district.

Mr Sen said the final agreement on all the proposed project would be made by July 30 after the Indonesian industrial group submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR), being prepared by Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Mr Sontoso said he had discussed with the Chief Minister and the Industry Minister the possibility of Salim's participation in the proposed chemical hub in Haldia for which the government had already discussed with the Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and Indian Oil Corporation.

He said he had sought 3,000 acre of land for the state highway besides 7,000 acre for the health and knowledge cities, which the group had already proposed to set up.

Mr Sontoso said the construction of the road and the bridge would involve an investment of Rs 4,000 crore. He, however, declined to divulge the total amount of investment for the SEZ and other projects, saying it would be specified in the DPR.

''We will go by the priorities of the state government in inviting industries in the SEZ,'' he said in reply to a question.

The Industry Minister said the government was willing to hold dialogues with any other entrepreneurs for setting up an SEZ.

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