Gandhinagar: Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi have made the official announcement of Gujarat being the new home to Tata's Nano project. The company and the Gujarat government signed the MOU on Tuesday evening.
This development comes after Tata scouted many sites including some in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
"This is not only an investment by Tata but a new partnership. Nano is part of Gujarat's development," said Modi.
"After Nano's arrival we will progress in the field of surface transport," Modi added.
The Tatas have chosen Sanand, close to Ahmedabad, as the project site. The site is located within the 2,200-acre Anand Agriculture University campus.
Ratan Tata also expressed his happiness as he said, "This is a special day for us because we went through a sad experience in West Bengal despite the state govt's efforts. We now have a new home. We will be a good citizen will make a contribution to the life of the people."
"The Nano project was conceived as something that would provide affordable transport to Indians. Many companies are trying to produce low cost cars in India. It has become a new hub. We lost a lot of time, but now we can try our best on Gujarti soil," he added.
Sources say things are moving fast at the government front for the transfer of 1,000 acres of land to the Tatas.
The plant will produce 250,000 cars per annum which is expandable to 500,000 units per annum and will generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Tata Motors have said Nano will manufacture 2.5 to 3.5 lakh in the first phase and 5 lakh in the second phase.
Modi, who also completes seven years in office on Tuesday, will have a discussion with his Cabinet colleagues before finalising the deal.
Sources also confirm if things go according to plan, the deal will be finalised by Tuesday itself. Importantly, Modi is said be willing to roll out concessions to the Tatas in order to clinch the project.
While he was against giving concessions to industry, in the case of Nano project the Chief Minister is said to be ready to make an exception.
The new project site was finalised on Tuesday evening after yet another visit by the Tata Motors officials, who in the last few days had scouted for possible locations in many other states.
Ever since the Tatas faced political resistance in West Bengal for their project at Singur various state governments, including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, were in the race to woo Tatas to set the manufacturing facility for the cheapest car in the world.
Comments
0 comment