industry; he migrated from Afghanistan in the 1800s and started the export industry. He was awarded various medals from British Empire exhibitions in United Kingdom. Special Economic Zone Moradabad Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the only Uttar Pradesh Government developed SEZ in northern India, headed by the Development Commissioner, Noida SEZ and locally governed by the Assistant Development Commissioner, was set up in 2003 at Pakbara – Dingarpur Road in Moradabad on a 421.565-acre plot of land. Government of UP, through UPSIDC, being developers to this SEZ project has so far invested a sum of ₹1100 million on its development. Moradabad SEZ provides excellent infrastructure, supportive services and sector specific facilities for the Handicraft Trade. Proximity to Delhi/ NCR and availability of skilled and dedicated manpower makes it ideal for setting up various industries in Handicrafts & its allied filed. Moradabad SEZ was operationalized since April, 2007 when it started with only one unit, however till today in spite of the global slowdown in the handicraft trade for past four years; this zone has now 22 operational Units. Moradabad SEZ has 465 developed plots of varying sizes. Future expansion of this has been strategically planned and soon it will be available for few more export sectors. Infrastructure, supportive services and trade related facilities have been substantially upgraded during the last few years. Moradabad SEZ offers access to the global telecommunication network, uninterrupted power supply and efficient local transport system. An ultra-modern RSU Telephone Exchange has been installed in the Zone, besides the availability of all the mobile frequencies in and around the zone through various mobile communication towers. An independent feeder line has since been provided for uninterrupted power supply, the reliability and quality of power supply has improved with the pre-commissioned 32 / 11 KVA / 5.0 MVA Power Sub-station within Moradabad SEZ. Proximity to Delhi/ NCR provides easy access to the financial and commercial infrastructure of the capital. Customs Wing ensures prompt and on the spot clearances of export/import consignments through web based system called "sezonline". Transportation Road The following National Highways and State Highways pass through or are connected with Moradabad: National Highway 24 – connects New Delhi to Lucknow via Ghaziabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur and Sitapur. It has been made four-lane between Moradabad and New Delhi. Four-laning of the highway between Bareilly and Sitapur is underway. From Sarai Kale Khan Delhi to Hapur construction of an access-controlled expressway