14 SEZs get nod, R-ADAG Noida plan hits hurdle

Even as the Board of Approval gave its nod to 14 proposed special economic zones (SEZs), government officials said that one Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) proposed zone at Noida was unlikely to see the light of day.

The board today formally approved 10 SEZs, including a 16 hectare IT zone of Tata Consultancy Services in Kolkata, Saloni Business Park Private Ltd's 27.5 hectare biotech zone in Thane and a 4.77 hectare electronic hardware and IT zone in Raigad, proposed by Modern India Property Developer.

The board also gave in-principle approval to four zones, including two promoted by Singapore-based property developer Ascendas in Tamil Nadu. While one of these is a 1,000 hectare multi-product zone to be developed by Sengadu Projects Pvt Ltd.

Sources said SEZs to be developed by DLF and Unitech Hitech in Uttar Pradesh were deferred since the promoters did not have land in possession. Adani Group's 1,000 hectare multi-product zone at Mundra in Gujarat was also given in-principle approval.

Meanwhile, R-ADAG's plan to develop an SEZ in Noida has suffered a setback as the Uttar Pradesh government has refused to give its nod to the project.

"Uttar Pradesh has said no to the proposal. As a result, the project has gone for a six," said government officials.