Omaxe plans SEZ in Indore, protests over land likely

Delhi-based Omaxe Housing & Developers Ltd has proposed to set up a multi-product special economic zone in Indore.

The company is also planning to set up a high-tech township in Indore on an area of 1,000 hectares.

The company has recently made a presentation in this regard to the Madhya Pradesh government.

However, considering the process of acquisition of 1,000 hectares, the state government has advised the firm to participate in the bidding of the government-owned special economic zone in Indore, the tenders for which will be floated shortly. Though company officials were tight-lipped on both the projects, a government source said.

"The firm has been asked to participate in the bid since the acquisition of 1,000 hectares of private land is not an easy task."

A company spokesperson said, "Discussion is going on the project and things will be clear in a week." He refused to divulge the details of investment and features of either of the projects. According to government sources, the company has already started work on the high-tech housing project.

The bids for the government-owned SEZ are likely to open this month. The Madhya Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation, an arm of the department of industry, had cancelled the previous bids on grounds of poor technical strength of the bidders. L&T, Gammon India, Zoom Developers, and Punj Lloyd had showed interest in the special economic zone of Indore.

As many as six government and private special economic zones have been cleared by the Board of Approval. However, these private special economic zones are likely to face an intense protest from the farmers.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh Kisan Sangharsh Samiti has launched a protest against JP Industries' expansion and subsequent land acquisition in Rewa.

"We are demanding land against land from JP in Rewa or proper compensation at market rates against land acquired by the company. We will also stage protest against land acquisition for special economic zones in a similar manner," Multai MLA Sunilam, who is leading the protest, said.

"No land should be acquired by the government for any private company without the prior permission of gram sabhas," he added.