RIL, Birlas head for Vizag SEZ

SREEKALA G

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006 02:24:15 AM]

HYDERABAD: The 9,200-acre SEZ project in Visakhapatnam is attracting
major industry players including Reliance Industries and Aditya Birla
Group. It is learnt that RIL is planning to set up a chemical fertiliser
plant while Birlas are zeroing in on a site for a rayon manufacturing
unit. Besides, Ludhiana-based Ralson Tyres is also planning to acquire
100 acres for setting up a facility.

“We are in talks with RIL and Aditya Birla Group for land allotment in
the SEZ. RIL is looking at acquiring 1,500 acres, while Aditya Birla
Group wants 250 acres,” said a senior government official. RIL’s plan is
to set up a gas-based fertiliser unit in the proposed site.

When contacted, an RIL spokesperson said the company would finalise its
business plans only after studying the chemical composition and
availability of the gas. “It is a proposal from the state government and
we have not taken any decision on setting up a plant,” he said. An
Aditya Birla Group spokesperson said the company would not like to
comment on projects, which are in the initial stages of negotiations.

The Vizag SEZ developer, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure
Corporation (APIIC), has already allocated land to Sri Lanka-based
Brandix, BARC, HPCL and Chennai-based WS Industries.

“WS Industries has acquired 50 acres for setting up a Rs 100-crore
insulator manufacturing facility. It is expected to be ready in a year,”
said the government official. Brandix has acquired 1,000 acres and has
lined up investment to the tune of Rs 600 crore. BARC will pump in Rs
1,000 crore for setting up its R&D centre spread over 2,800 acre while
HPCL, which has received 1,500 acre, would invest Rs 3,000 crore for a
petrochemical complex, it is learnt.

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