The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has sought the powers of a Special Planning Authority (SPA) to enable it to fast-track the development of its 277 hectare SEZ project as its management has been negotiating with global manufacturing companies for setting up units in the planned enclave, Chairman Anil Diggikar said that a formal request on this score has been sent to the Maharashtra government, seeking enhanced powers for faster development of infrastructure at the ensuring SEZ facility. The SEZ in question is a prime land parcel located about 5 km away from the port and the management has decided to develop about 100 acres by the end of this year. Taiwanese electronics major Foxconn is seeking about 14 acres inside the SEZ for setting up a manufacturing facility. CEO of JNPT SEZ, S Sittarasu said that once the special power authority (SPA) status is granted under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, decisions on infrastructure development could be taken by the management itself. Then JNPT will not have to approach other agencies such as CIDCO for building permissions and other infra development permits. The SPA status will further help companies in de-risking from pre to post execution phase while setting up their industrial units, he insisted.
