Delhi-Mumbai Industrical Corridor to pass through MP: Nath

New Delhi, July 2 (UNI) The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) will pass through Madhya Pradesh as well, Commerce and Industry Ministry Kamal Nath said this evening.

''The massive project with an investment requirement of 90 billion dollars spread over seven years is expected to transform the industrial landscape of over half a dozen states through which it will pass, including Madhya Pradesh,'' he said.

Mr Nath made the announcement at a joint press conference with the visiting Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Akira Amari here.

But the project presentation made by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Secretary Ajay Dua before Indian and Japanese Ministers, business delegates and media of the two countries did not include Madhya Pradesh in the DMIC's route.

However, Mr Nath said DMIC's route required correction, adding that first presentation by Dr Dua has to be rectified as it does not include Madhaya Pradesh.

''Change route alignment,'' he directed who has been elected from Chhindwara constituency in MP.

While stating that he was disappointed that the corridor will not pass through Mr Nath's constituency, the Japanese Minister, however, expressed hope that his Indian counterpart will act like a great statesman who holds the serves the interest of the entire nation.

The project will see major expansion of infrastructure and industry, including industrial clusters and rail, road, port, air connectivity, in the states along the corridor's route.

Conceived to be developed as a global manufacturing and trading hub, the project is expected to double employment potential, triple industrial output and quadruple exports from the region in five years.

The project, to be launched in January 2008, is expected to generate employment for 30 lakh people, mostly in the manufacturing and processing sectors.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2012, Mr Nath said.

With the two sides racing against time to concretise xxx Eds pls pick up from para 4 of DC 22 (INDUSTRY-DELHI-MUMBAI CORRIDOR).

UNI