Concept:
A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically demarcated geographical enclave where economic and commercial laws are structured differently from the rest of the country. These zones offer competitive tax incentives, streamlined customs clearances, and enhanced infrastructure to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), boost exports, and accelerate industrial growth. In India, SEZs are governed under the comprehensive *SEZ Act of 2005*.
Step-by-step Explanation:
Let us verify the industrial and economic classification of each city listed:
• Sri City: Located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, this is a globally recognized integrated business city featuring a prominent Multi-Product SEZ housing international manufacturing plants.
• Kandla: Located in Gujarat, Kandla is historically significant as the site of India's and Asia's very first Export Processing Zone (EPZ), established in 1965. It was later converted into an operational Special Economic Zone under modern guidelines.
• Bhopal: The capital city of Madhya Pradesh is an administrative, historical, and educational center. While it contains localized industrial areas and IT parks (such as Mandideep on its outskirts), Bhopal is not categorized as a dedicated SEZ city.
• Noida: New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (located in Uttar Pradesh within the National Capital Region) contains designated SEZ sectors (e.g., the Noida Special Economic Zone - NSEZ) that serve as major hubs for electronics, software development, and textile exports.
Because Bhopal does not serve as a dedicated SEZ city enclave, it is the correct answer.