This water-scarce and arid region of the state has never been in the reckoning when it comes to industrial development. An important link to the northern hinterland, north Gujarat, believe many, has missed the industrial development bus.
But, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) promises to change the face of north Gujarat. With the state government identifying Mehsana-Siddhpur-Palanpur as a key industrial region and Ahmedabad-Dholera as special investment region, north Gujarat is poised for a face-lift.
As per the blueprint prepared by the state government to gear up for the DMIC project, north Gujarat is set to attract investments to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore, generating employment for 3 lakh people. Of this, the Palanpur-Siddhpur-Mehsana industrial area will have investment pouring into SEZs, agro processing, port-based IT/ITeS and logistic parks.
An area of 115 sq kms area near Santalpur, which falls in the Palanpur-Siddhpur-Mehsana industrial region has been identified for development. A low-population area, Santalpur is connected with national highway and railways and is a region monocropped with low agricultural yield.
The focus areas for industrial development in the northern stretch are: dairy farms, textile mills, salt units, ginning units, potato wafers, agro processing, seed farms and logistic parks.
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The GIDC estates covering Santalpur encompasses places like Radhanpur, Chanasma, Shihori, Harij, Patan, Balisana and Siddhpur.
Further, the plan talks about augmenting Mehsana Industrial Estate for developing a mega industrial area for the region. "Integrated logistic hub at Palanpur and Gandhidham includes development of inland container depot with truck terminal facilities and a container freight station with multi modal logistics infrastructure and value-added services respectively," said a senior government official.
As far as the Ahmedabad-Dholera Investment region is concerned, Dholera port will give a boost to the special investment region. The region is strategically located and is just around 100 kms from the Dedicated Freight Corridor in southern Gujarat.
The special investment region is likely to house 11 special economic zones (SEZs), 10 industrial parks and 12 industrial estates. "Conceptualising the need of an overall development of the region, a mega format SEZ is being planned on the lines of Shenzhen model. "Dholera special investment region is likely to attract investments to the tune of Rs 44,800 crore offering employment opportunities to 2.5 lakh people," he said.
A senior government official said efforts are being made to make the investment region a hub for automobile/auto component, electronics, chemicals, cement production and pharma industries.