Tata Nano Plant – From Singur to Sanand and now to Dharwad

Will luck smile on the state of Karnataka? Tata Motors is completely tight-lipped like always about the whole issue. Karnataka state government had initially offered 1000 acres of land to Tata Motors when it was planning to shift from Singur amidst rising controversies from the Bengal farmers. Initially the state government was ready to allocate 600 acres of land immediately and rest 400 acres over a period of three months. The negotiations were not fruitful then but now Tata Motors seems to be seriously contemplating its options to set a firm foot in the State with a second Nano plant in Dharwad.

The Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Mr V. Umesh, said Tata Motors’ officials had visited two sites near Dharwad which could be offered for the project. Murgesh Nirani, Minister for Large and Medium Industries met Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors, “to take forward the negotiations on relocating the Nano project to Dharwad,” he said.

Last week, a Tata Motors team led by its Managing Director, Mr Ravi Kant, met the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, and discussed the possibility of locating the Nano plant in the State. The state government has assured all the help needed by the company for setting up its plant.

Submitted by Satish Kalepu