Reliance seeks nod to improve connectivity at Jamnagar SEZ.

Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) has sought the Centre's permission to build more structures at its Jamnagar Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for improving connectivity between a refinery and its upcoming Rs. 20,000-crore chemicals complex, both located outside the zone.

Encouraged by the Government's approval last year for a pipeline through the SEZ for transporting gas from the refinery to the chemicals complex, the Mukesh Ambani-led company has now sought nod for building an elevated structure and two underpasses.

Since the shortest route connecting the refinery and the complex is through the SEZ, an alternative route would cause project delay and higher costs, the company has claimed.

The matter will be taken up by the Board of Approval for SEZs, the top decision-making body for the zones, in a meeting recently. 'The Development Commissioner (of the SEZ) has carried out physical inspection of the area and recommended the proposal taking into account the quantum of investment proposed by the firm and also the fact that execution of these facilities would neither impact the contiguity nor the operations of the SEZ,' a Commerce Department official told Business Line.

HBL