Centre approves sites for two SEZs

Patna: The Centre has approved sites for the development of two special economic zones (SEZs) in Bihar, sources in the state govt said on Saturday. The proposed SEZs will be located in the industrial areas of Kumarbagh (West Champaran district), and Nawanagar (Buxar district).
In a letter to state industry minister, Union minister of commerce and industries, Piyush Goyal, said, “In respect of the two proposed SEZs (at Kumarbagh and Nawanagar), physical inspection of the sites was carried out by the office of the development commissioner, Falta SEZ, on June 26 and 27, 2024, and it has been found that both sites are favourable to develop the proposed SEZs.”

Once formally approved, these will be the first SEZs in Bihar.Currently, Bihar has no SEZs, whereas neighboring Jharkhand, which was carved out from Bihar 23 years ago, has two approved SEZs, including the Rs 14,000-crore Adani Power project.
The physical inspection by the Centre followed a meeting between Bihar’s industy minister,Nitish Mishra, and Goyal on June 20, where Mishra requested the development of the SEZs. Mishra also submitted a formal letter to Goyal seeking the development of the two proposed SEZs. Goyal’s letter also mentioned the pending receipt of some requisite documents related to the schedule of the land from the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA).
“It is observed that some of the requisite documents related to the schedule of the land are still pending to be received from the BIADA. It has been informed that the BIADA is in the process of arranging the same. After receipt of these documents, the development commissioner, Falta SEZ, will forward the proposal along with the recommendation to the department of commerce,” Goyal noted in his letter.