Odisha urges Centre to grant in-principle nod for NIMZ

Govt has initiated process to hire consultant for preparing feasibility report and NIMZ master plan

The Odisha government has sought in-principle approval from the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) under Union commerce & industry ministry for establishment of the National Investment & Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) in the state at Kalinganagar.

Kalinganagar in Jajpur district is touted as the emerging steel hub of the country with concentration of units both by public and private sector entities. Land procurement for the proposed mega industrial zone will be done by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco).

“Idco is under possession of 5,811 hectares (ha) of land at Kalinganagar. The process of engagement of a consultant for preparing a techno-economic feasibility report (TEFR) and master plan for the NIMZ has been initiated. In the above context, it is requested to grant in-principle approval at an early date, enabling Idco to undertake the project activities within the time frame,” Idco's chairman and managing director (CMD) Vishal Dev wrote to Talleen Kumar, joint secretary, DIPP.

The NIMZs are proposed to be self-governing and autonomous bodies under Article 243 (Q-c) of the Constitution and managed by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) headed by government officials.

The Centre will provide financial support for trunk infrastructure while internal infrastructure will be developed on a PPP (public private partnership) mode for which access to Viability Gap Funding (VGF) would be provided.

The first seven NIMZs have been notified and they will be set up in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh along the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.

Together, these six states account for 43 per cent of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product), 50 per of industrial production and exports and 40 per cent of total workforce.

The NIMZs would be a combination of production units, public utilities, logistics, environmental protection mechanism, residential areas and administrative services.

Such zones would have a processing area where the manufacturing facilities along with associated logistics and other services as well as required infrastructure will be located.

The processing area may include one or more Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial parks, warehousing zones and export oriented units.

Besides, there will be a non-processing area to include residential, commercial and other social and institutional infrastructure.