MP: Three DMIC ‘early bird’ projects move at tardy pace

The so-called “early bird projects” being implemented in the Pithampur investment region of Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) are moving at a snail’s pace.

Three of the four such projects – economic corridor, multi-modal logistics hub, and water management and supply – are running behind schedule due to bureaucratic delays and land acquisition hurdles. The only project where development work has started is the integrated industrial township ‘Vikram Udyogpuri’, which is coming up near Ujjain.

The proposed economic corridor between Indore airport and Pithampur industrial area is facing delays due to hurdles in land acquisition as many farmers have moved court.

The state government, which owns a portion of land, is finding it difficult to acquire additional land after new land acquisition law was introduced in 2013.

The project to build a multi-modal logistics hub in Pithampur is yet to take off, as the authorities are awaiting operations to resume on the Pithampur-Tihi rail section.

Another early bird project to improve water supply to Pithampur industrial area is still at the tendering stage as the first round of tendering process that was initiated in February 2015 was unsuccessful.

“The Narmada water supply project will soon move forward and the state government has sanctioned adequate funds in this budget,” said an official of Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN) Indore.

The industry is concerned over the prolonged delay. “This year the water crisis has hit Pithampur early, and we are worried about the scenario during peak summer,” Pithampur industry association president Gautam Kothari said.

Sources say the economic corridor between Indore airport and Pithampur industrial area will take many years to complete.

“Land acquisition is one of the major hurdles holding up the project. We need 1,200 to 1,500 hectares land, but although government owns a portion of the land, the acquisition can’t be completed without private land,” a senior official of the state industry department said.

A major problem is that, at some places, the government and private lands are adjacent to each other.

Early bird projects under DMIC

Economic corridor: The proposed 22-km-long and 300-metre-wide economic corridor is anticipated to be an economic growth axis and a transport link connecting Indore and Pithampur

Integrated industrial township: An industrial township is being developed at Narwar near Ujjain as one of the early bird projects. The township will be divided into an industrial zone and an integrated township providing infrastructure for academic institutions, housing and social infrastructure

Multi-modal logistics hub: A multi-modal logistics hub is proposed to be developed along NH-3 bypass near Pithampur. It will provide facilities and services for collection, distribution, storage and transportation of goods meant for exports and imports at competitive cost and fast turnaround times

Water supply for Pithampur industrial area: A modern water pipeline network is envisaged in Pitahmpur industrial area with water sourced from Narmada. The project has been cleared by DMIC Development Corporation and the state government has sanctioned Rs 300 crore for the project.