Industrial development of 750 acres in Sedarapet-Karasur area in final stages

The development of 750-odd acres of land in the Sedarapet-Karasur villages into an industrial corridor has moved to its final stages with the land parcel being transferred to the developer PIPDIC. 

The development of 750-odd acres of land in the Sedarapet-Karasur villages into an industrial corridor has moved to its final stages with the land parcel being transferred to the developer, namely the Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation Limited (PIPDIC). 

According to an official source, a notification was issued on February 18, 2025, transferring the property from the possession of the Industries Department to PIPDIC for comprehensive industrial development of the land, which was acquired by the Revenue Department in 2006 for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). But shortly after, the project ran into rough weather following the cancellation of SEZ for Puducherry by the Centre. 

Since then, subsequent governments in the UT have been approaching the Centre for clearance to put to use the idle land for industrial activity. Finally, on October 25, 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs gave its nod for the same.

“After the MHA clearance, we took several steps for utilising the land for industrial purpose and setting up a research park by IIT-Madras. The land transfer from the Industries Department to PIPDIC got delayed. Now, with the land being transferred, the project will gather pace in the coming weeks. We are moving towards the final phase of allotment,” an official told The Hindu.

The conditions that PIPDIC must follow include not using the land for any purpose other than industrial use. PIPDIC should issue a share certificate for ₹70.18 crore to the Government of Puducherry. Also, a steering committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary should be formed to oversee the process of allotment. It should be done in a transparent manner following rules and guidelines, the notification prescribed.

Ernst and Young, a multinational consultancy firm appointed by the government, has already prepared a report for the proper utilisation of the land parcel. The report will be submitted in a few days to the government for taking further administrative steps, including conducting the mandatory Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study, in realising the project. 

With respect to the EIA, the official said, a Chennai-based firm Hubert Enviro Care Systems has been appointed to conduct the study. The firm, empanelled by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training, will prepare the EIA. The industrial utilisation of the 750 acres of land required both environment and wildlife clearances due to the proximity of the Sedarapet-Karasur area to the Ousteri lake, one of the 93 significant wetlands in Asia, he said.