Sunday 2 September 2012

Gujarat seeks Rs 11,000 crore from Japan for Dholera

Gujarat has sought Rs 11,000 crore from Japan for implementing various projects related to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). During a meeting held in mid-August in Gandhinagar between top officials of the state government, the Centre and representatives of Japan government agencies, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) proposed a number of new projects for Dholera.

The development comes soon after Japan's offer of rupee loan of $4.5 billion (about Rs 25,110 crore) for corridor-related projects. "Gujarat has pioneer's advantage as it's moving faster than other states," said a senior official from the Government of India. "Dholera plan is in the fast-forward mode with the state opting for town-planning route for planning."

Secretary of department of industrial policy and promotion Saurabh Chandra told TOI that Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) executives are holding meetings with all states that have a stake in DMIC. The meeting held in Gandhinagar was a part of that series.

A senior official from the state government said that chief secretary A K Joti, principal secretary for industries department M Sahu, and other top bureaucrats made presentations to the JICA delegation.

"The proposals put forward by the state government were linked to connectivity and water supply to Dholera," the official said adding, "The money sought for implementing these projects is in the range of $2 billion."

Apart from metro rail connectivity and a major expressway connecting Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar via Dholera, elevated roads around Dholera were on the list. Elevated roads have been suggested by infrastructure experts to counter the problem of saline water creeping in, the official said.

Speaking to TOI over the phone from New Delhi, chief executive of DMIC Development Corporation Amitabh Kant said, "Gujarat has proposed certain projects for Dholera to JICA. We will see how we can best support them."

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