Petrochem Land

Statesman News Service

NEW DELHI, Jan. 13. – Amidst controversy over acquisition of farm land for SEZs, the government today said that the issue of land acquisition for the proposed 250-sq-km Petroleum Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) has to be settled between industry and farmers.

“In view of the controversy over land acquisition for SEZs, the Centre would direct state governments not to work as middlemen in acquiring land for the industry in the proposed PCPIR,” the Union chemicals and fertilisers minister, Mr Ram Vilas Paswan, told reporters. The state governments would only promote PCPIR.

There are plans to set up three or four PCPIRs in the country. Vishakhapatnam, Haldia, Hazira and Mangalore have been identified as possible places for them because of their proximity to port facilities, Mr Paswan said. The PCPIR, to be developed on the lines of those in Rotterdam and Shanghai, will help the industry to be globally competitive. Out of the total 250 square kilometres, at least 100 square kilometres would be reserved for the chemical sector, Mr Paswan said.