The Indian Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has reached the next step in its development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) primed to create 57,000 jobs for the local area.
The multiproduct SEZ is an initiative under the Sagarmala programme of the Ministry of Shipping and will serve as an enticing investment destination for port-based industries on the 277 hectares of JNPT-owned free hold land at Navi Mumbai.
On 15 January, following the completion of a month-long public consultation, a five-member committee headed by Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh IRS Deputy Chairman, stepped forward to finalise the Draft Development Proposals for the area which is expected to generate Rs 4,000 Crores of investment.
Improved infrastructure facilities and greater access to global markets has meant the maritime industry in the region has seen rapid growth in recent years.
Planners believe the SEZ at the port, which is already operational, will boost imports by enabling port-led industrialisation under Sagarmala, India’s flagship Ministry of Shipping development programme.
JNPT leads India’s pandemic recovery
Companies setting their base at the port can leverage business benefits the SEZ offers due to its proximity to the port; as well as planning integration and multimodal transport links benefitting stakeholder along the supply chain and the wider region.
Some 20 MSME and one Free Trade Warehousing Zone co-developers have been allotted plots to date, with five units starting their construction activities at the port. Three units in the JNPT SEZ including M/s OWS LLP and M/s Krish Food Industry have completed their first phases of operations.
Once fully occupied, the JNPT SEZ will generate total employment with a multiplier effect to a massive 150,000 jobs, benefitting the wider Navi Mumbai as the biggest container handling port in India. JNPort has received Special Planning Authority (SPA) status for the project.
The JNPT SEZ will aim to cut costs, improve efficiency in goods movement, and enhance India’s competitiveness in global goods trafficking.
Currently, JNPT operates five container terminals: The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Container Terminal (JNPCT), the Nhava Sheva International Container Terminal (NSICT), the Gateway Terminals India Pvt. Ltd. (GTIPL), Nhava Sheva International Gateway Terminal (NSIGT) and the newly commissioned Bharat Mumbai Container Terminals Private Limited (BMCTPL).
