50 sanctioned units yet to take off in Mihan Shishir

: City's Mihan has not only positive side but there are some dark side of the project also. Over 50 units which have been allotted land in the SEZ have not started operations. Realty major DLF, which is coming up with an IT Park, has deferred construction work until economic situation improves. Controversial Satyam Computers, the first investor in the SEZ, now awaits a decision from the new management about what to do here.

Boeing is to set up its maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) depot here but is waiting for aviation sector to improve. Duke Aviation, which also has been allotted land for a similar set up, recently held ground-breaking ceremony at the site but has not been heard since.

Local industrialists had a mixed reaction on this. Pravin Tapadia, president of Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA), said Nagpur being the only functional multi-product SEZ gave a positive signal to investors. This may also be the only SEZ which is linked to an airport and so close to the city as well, he said. However, former president of the same guild Mohan Agrawal, added that it must be accepted that companies that had taken land, had not begun operations, which is a setback. Most of the investors are from the IT sector which is undergoing a lean phase for some time.