Ryots protest sale of land to GHB

Gujarat Hira Bourse (GHB) said it is close to acquiring 20 lakh sq mts of land at Ichhapore in Surat from the GIDC for Rs 45 crore to set up a modern gem and jewellery park.

But the procedure has been delayed as some local farmers claimed the land belonged to them and are demanding that it be handed back to them, the GHB said.

GHB president Chandrakant Sanghvi said, "We have made it very clear to the state government that we will pay the money only when we are given possession of the land. It is for the government to deal with the farmers and find a way out. We are not a party to it.

"We plan to complete the jewellery park within four years. Several businessmen from Surat and other cities have shown willingness to purchase plots and set up units," Sanghvi said.

A leading diamond businessman said, "The fact that work on the airport is yet to even start is worrying. The way things are going, it will take some more years before the airport starts functioning."

"Once work on the jewellery park starts, it should be ready in five years. If Surat does not have a functional airport by then, the entire exercise will be futile. We will have to maintain offices in Mumbai for our foreign clientele," the businessman said.