UK based group to set up 'eco cities' in Punjab

Chandigarh, Apr 25 (UNI) In a major bid to modernise infrastructure in Punjab, UK based Sun Group today announced its decisions to set up 'eco cotoes', with emphasis on minimal use of polluting forms of power.

The group would also undertake ambitious projects, including thermal power plants, townships, mass transit systems like expressways and airports.

In addition, the Sun Group also proposes to set up a 'first of its kind' Rural Development Institute and an Indian Institute of Public Health with a combined outlay of over Rs 100 crore.

A significant feature of the Sun proposal on new 'eco towns or cities' was that it did not imply any acquisition of land by the government, the company Director Uday Khemka said here today while talking to mediapersons.

Instead, the Group will buy land directly from the farmers through mutual negotiations, he added. The group had special interest in the development of an "eco-city" close to some major commercial center such as Ludhiana or Chandigarh.

Sun Group is one of the major players in the field of infrastructure development across the world, having played a key role in this sector in Russia, Middle East and Europe. Closer home, it had taken up the "bankrupt" PUNWIRE and turned it into a profit making organization.

The Group made the proposals regarding infrastructure development in Punjab during the course of a meeting between Mr Khemka and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal earlier in the day.

According to an official press release, the total scale of investment by the Group in the proposed projects could exceed the original Rs 1000 crores announced by Mr Khemka two days back.

According to conservative estimates, the final figure could be close to Rs 4000 crore.

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