MIDC to focus on additional industrial infrastructure

He said the although the fourth phase of Rajiv Gandhi infotech park has been declared as IT park,but the MIDC in Pune was even expecting that the park may be converted into SEZ for which the decision will be taken by the higher officials. Apart from the fourth phase of Rajiv Gandhi infotech park,the MIDC is also building the joint venture project with Bharat Forge under the SEZ category on nearly 1,705 hectares. Ralekar said that the entire project of Bharat Forge project is to be made operational by the next 2-3 years.

However,MCCIA officials while welcoming the building of additional industrial infrastructure by MIDC insist that instead of SEZ state government should built the integrated industrial parks. “The state government has curtailed the income tax concessions for the industries that are being set up in the special economic zones. This is why we have asked the government that instead of pursuing the SEZs it should set up integrated industrial parks. These parks will be like industrial estates where there facilities like loading and unloading of goods,banks and so on,” said MCCIA director-general Anant Sardeshmukh.

Ralekar however said that government would have nothing to lose in the Bharat Forge SEZ as the investment was made by the private company only. “We have an agreement with Bharat Forge that under the JV we will share 26 percent profit from the project,” he said. MIDC officials said that the building of these infrastructure projects will give a fillip to the industrial development in the city.