Will mini-Japan wade in deep waters?

Vijaysinh Parmar Finds Special Investment Region In Gujarat, Where Japanese Auto Majors Are Likely To Set Up Shop Following Nano, Is A Severe Flood-Prone Zone.
When the Japanese follow the Nano into Gujarat, will it be in deep waters, literally? That is what appears if condition of proposed Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) — where a mini Japan is likely to come up — is studied during monsoons over last four years. The entire region is prone to severe flooding. According to rough estimates, nearly 40 per cent of SIR is vulnerable to floods. Severity of floods is such that even railway tracks and roads go under water for a stretch of seven to eight days. Locally known as ‘bhal’, this region is a low-lying area and has seen floods to such an extent that people had to be evacuated and even air-lifted. However, many early birds have already put their money in this region, expecting more investments to follow. “Since last four years, villages from Vataman to Dholera are affected by floods. This year too, farmers have lost their crops as well as houses across this region. This happens frequently as more than 50 per cent of this area gets flooded,” says Dholka MLA Kanji Talpada. Many villages along the Vataman-Dholera road get disconnected due to floods. “Most-affected villages are Ganol, Ganesar, Vataman, Varna, Bholad, Samani, Saragvala, Burhanpura, Navagam, Gogla, Mingalpur, Bhangadh, Zankhi, among others,” says Mingalpur village sarpanch Meghji Bariya. “Around 150 houses collapsed during the floods this year in our village alone,’’ adds Bariya. “The region is often hit by water draining from Surendranagar district which is hit by heavy rains and high tide in rivers like Bhogavo, Utavali, Bhadar and Lilka. It is a double whammy that leaves the region flooded. During floods in September this year, road connecting Vataman to Pipali and Dholera was blocked for six days,” says Rajubha Chudasama, resident of Dholera. Another state highway, connecting Bagodra and Fedra, was also under water for about 10 days. Even villages like Laxmipura near Lothal which never had a history of flooding, got affected this time.
WHEN JAPAN COMES CALLING
Japanese government is keen on setting up a mini-Japan township in Gujarat, possibly in SIR It will be spread over 100 sq km Mini-Japan will be a self-contained township, complete with Japanese schools A Gujarat government delegation to visit Japan in mid-November to woo Japanese auto majors Talks lined up with Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki
WHAT IS SIR?
Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) is being developed as a self-sustained region Will have world-class infrastructure to attract foreign investment. Will be spread over 360 sq km Will be located in the eastern part of Dhandhuka taluka along the Gulf of Khambat SIR is well connected to Ahmedabad through state highways. (Times of India)