Surat projects on track, says industries commissioner

The projects, proposed to be se up in Surat and for which the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the first Global Investors Summit in 2003, are progressing satisfactorily, said Arvind Agarwal, the state industrial commissioner, here on Friday. He was in the city to review the progress of the MoUs.

MoUs worth Rs 1.06 lakh crore were signed during the Global Investors Summit. Of these, 25 projects worth Rs 26,195 crore were proposed to be developed in Surat.

Talking to the media, Agarwal said, "An MoU was signed between the state government and Torrent Power for setting up a 1050 MW power plant in Akhakhol village in Surat district, at an investment of Rs 3,780 crore. The work is in progress for setting up of a 350 MW capacity power plant in the first phase, which is expected to be completed by April 2007. The remaining work would be completed in two phases in the following one year."

Agarwal said that the South Gujarat Textile Welfare Association had entered into an MoU of Rs 3,000 crore for modernising the textile industry. The modernisation of 218 units, at a cost of Rs 1,170 crore has been completed, while the remaining would be completed in the next two years, he said.

Similarly, the South Gujarat Processors Association had signed an MoU worth Rs 2,500 crore, for modernising of processing units over the next five years. So far, 350 processing units have been modernised at an investment of Rs 450 crore.

The industries commissioner said that Reliance Industries had signed an MoU for setting up of a PET plant at Hazira, with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore. He said that the work at the plant is expected to be completed in the next eighteen months.

An MoU of Rs 4,600 crore was signed between the state government and Gujarat Hira Bourse for developing a gem and jewellery park at Ichhapore. The land has already been allotted for the park, and the actual work would begin shortly, he said.

Giving details about the MoU, worth Rs 260 crore, signed with J H M Group, the commissioner said, "The project is related to developing a seven-star deluxe hotel, a nine-hole golf course and a hotel management institute, at Ichhapore. The project would be spread in an area of 127 acre. JHM group would pay Rs 27 crore for the land shortly."

"The MoU for developing the Surat Airport has already been completed," he added.

Meanwhile, work on two MoUs is yet begin. The first MoU is related to a hospital project, by the Jain Hospital & Medical Group, at an investment of Rs 60 crore. The group has demanded the land for the project and had sent a proposal to the state government. No progress has been made since then, the officials said.

Similarly, the MoU signed between the state government and Ashima Group for developing a weaving park in Surat at an investment of Rs 500 crore, is also yet to take-off.