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The newly-renamed Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) has embarked on a grand scheme to spruce up the eight entry points to the national capital, and also create a special economic zone (SEZ) for the apparel, gems and jewellery trade.

"When you enter Delhi, you should have a feel of the place and the fact that you are entering the national capital. The project has been taken up to enhance this feeling," explained DSIIDC managing director Jalaj Shrivastava.
"We have suggested there should be smart entry points where several facilities exist at one place. The facilities (should) include the offices of the trade and tax departments, toll collection booths, petrol pumps, food courts, and tourism kiosks," Shrivastava said in a statement.

DSIIDC was originally called the Delhi State Industrial Development Corp (DSIDC). It was renamed after infrastructure was added to its portfolio.

Speaking about the SEZ, Shrivastava said it would be spread over an area of 150-200 acres and the business there was anticipated at Rs.100 billion annually.

"We found that gems and jewellery trade is going on in Delhi, albeit from godowns and garages. We want to bring them at one platform in the SEZ. We aim to attract the international designers to Delhi and India with this concept.
"In our country there is no hub of gems and jewellery except the Mumbai-Surat belt which has extended up to Jaipur. In Kolkata, they have a small hub of only five acres. When we found that the artists of Delhi can produce world-class designs, we decided to provide institutional support to them," Shrivastava explained.

"Delhi would become a global shopping destination with the SEZ coming up. Work would begin as soon as we get land from the authorities concerned," he stated, adding that 1,000-1,200 artists trained in gems and jewellery designing already existed.

Speaking about the other infrastructure related projects of DSIIDC, Shrivastava said freight complexes would be built. The corporation had bid for these from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in an open and competitive process.

"We would first be taking up work on the freight complex at Dwarka," he added.

This apart, the corporation had already handed over possession of 1,000 houses at Dwarka. Another 2,000 houses would be handed over this month.

According to Shrivastava, a proposal to construct roads from plastic waste is being pursued.

"The technology of using plastic waste for road laying and construction enhances the quality of the roads and is maintenance free for longer periods of time," he explained.

"Plastic waste is shredded in small parts and mixed with bitumen. This has been done successfully in Bangalore with the help of its municipal body," he added.

However, some hurdles were being faced in Delhi due to the multiplicity of authorities. Even so, an expression of interest has been issues and parties shortlisted.

"We would be able to do it in a short time span. If we start building the plastic roads now, it will last at least till the Commonwealth Games (2010) and beyond. The best part is that water does not stay on the roads and even if the initial costs are high in the long run it helps cut cost," Shrivastava said.