Adani Seeks Partial De-Notification of Mundra SEZ; Ministry to Review

24 Jan 2025 CW Team

According to the meeting agenda, the request stems from challenges faced by units in the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) within the SEZ, primarily due to intense competition in the solar market and large-scale dumping of solar equipment into India. These factors have rendered operations in the EMC economically unviable.

Mundra Solar Technopark, a co-developer, has requested the de-notification of the EMC area on an 'as-is-where-is' basis, citing the need for units to exit the SEZ format to remain viable. Gujarat state authorities have raised no objections to the proposal and have urged the application to be processed. The development commissioner of APSEZ has also supported the request.

As per SEZ Rules, 2006, the central government, upon the BoA’s recommendation, can modify or withdraw SEZ notifications if satisfied with the developer's application.

The BoA will also consider an extension request from Mundra Petrochem Ltd, APSEZ, for its Letter of Approval (LOA), originally issued in December 2021. The extension is sought due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, which was rescheduled, is now reportedly progressing at full capacity.

SEZs, significant contributors to India's export economy, accounted for over one-third of the country's total exports in the previous fiscal year. Of the 423 approved SEZs in the country, 280 are operational, hosting 5,711 approved units. These zones operate as export hubs, treated as foreign territories for trade and customs purposes, with restrictions on duty-free sales within the domestic market.

(ET)

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has approached the central government, seeking the partial de-notification of 333.74 hectares out of its 8,282.77-hectare multi-product SEZ at Mundra, Gujarat. The proposal will be reviewed by the Board of Approval (BoA), the apex body for SEZs, chaired by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, during a meeting.According to the meeting agenda, the request stems from challenges faced by units in the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) within the SEZ, primarily due to intense competition in the solar market and large-scale dumping of solar equipment into India. These factors have rendered operations in the EMC economically unviable.Mundra Solar Technopark, a co-developer, has requested the de-notification of the EMC area on an 'as-is-where-is' basis, citing the need for units to exit the SEZ format to remain viable. Gujarat state authorities have raised no objections to the proposal and have urged the application to be processed. The development commissioner of APSEZ has also supported the request.As per SEZ Rules, 2006, the central government, upon the BoA’s recommendation, can modify or withdraw SEZ notifications if satisfied with the developer's application.The BoA will also consider an extension request from Mundra Petrochem Ltd, APSEZ, for its Letter of Approval (LOA), originally issued in December 2021. The extension is sought due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, which was rescheduled, is now reportedly progressing at full capacity.SEZs, significant contributors to India's export economy, accounted for over one-third of the country's total exports in the previous fiscal year. Of the 423 approved SEZs in the country, 280 are operational, hosting 5,711 approved units. These zones operate as export hubs, treated as foreign territories for trade and customs purposes, with restrictions on duty-free sales within the domestic market.(ET)

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Sep 2025

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Infrastructure Transport

05 Sep 2025

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..