Under fire at Singur, Tatas set to get nod for Orissa SEZ

NEW DELHI: The Tatas maybe facing an uphill task getting their small car project in Singur started, but the group's ambitious Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gopalpur in Orissa is soon set for launch sans any land acquisition problems.

The Board of Approvals (BoA) for SEZs would meet after a three-month gap on January 10 and take up for clearance, Tatas proposal for a multi-product zone involving land in excess of 3,500 acres, sources said.

They said the proposal is likely to be cleared as all the necessary clearances, including from the security agencies, have come.

The proposal, which had earlier come before the board, was referred to the security agencies as the proposed zone was close to a security establishment.

Tatas have proposed an SEZ in Gopalpur on the land which it had initially acquired for a steel plant.

The group later decided to give up the idea of a steel plant due to lack of proper infrastructure. With the emergence of fresh opportunities in SEZs, the group wants to use ths land for its forays in to new areas.

The Gopalpur SEZ is the only one so far for which the Tatas have sought approval for. Officials made it clear that contrary to reports, the Tatas project in Singur does not enjoy the status of an SEZ.

"Singur has nothing to do with SEZs," Commerce Ministry officials said.