Mukesh Ambani-promoted Navi Mumbai SEZ has been denotified, RTI response shows
MUMBAI, Aug 20 (The CONNECT) - Mukesh Ambani-promoted Navi Mumbai SEZ, which has been accused of environmental violations, has been denotified and the new entity, Navi Mumbai Integrated Industrial Area (NMIIA), does not have the coastal zone clearance for construction in ecologically sensitive Uran area, RTI responses show.
Responding to an application from NGO NatConnect Foundation under the RTI Act, the Union Commerce Ministry’s SEZ division recently confirmed that NMSEZ has been denotified on February 28, 2019. Thus, NMSEZ has no business to continue with that name as it is not supposed to be valid anymore, NatConnect said.
NatConnect director B N Kumar recalled that revenue officials have filed FIRs against NMSEZ for destroying mangroves and a wetland in violation of the Environment Act. Bombay High Court had explicitly banned any construction on mangroves.
“We have no objection to NMSEZ’s conversion into IIA or any other body. Our issue is that this so-called development work should not be at the cost of the environment.”
“NMSEZ is promoted by Reliance Group (headed by Shri Mukesh Ambani), Jai Corp and CIDCO,” says the website of Jai Corp even now. The website’s link to NMSEZ, however, shows ERROR.
