Tata Motors said that the Karnataka government on Thursday assured its full support and offered 1,000 acre of land, if the company was willing to relocate the Nano project to Karnataka from West Bengal.

After holding discussions with the Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, Tata Motors managing director Ravi Kant said, ?He (Karnataka chief minister) has said he will give full support, assistance and required incentives if we want it (in case if the company decides to shift its Nano project to Karnataka).?

?The project, if relocated, will requires about 1,000 acre of land. It is an integrated project,? Kant added conforming the CM?s offer.

On queries related to the company?s call on relocating its Nano plant, Kant said, ?We are considering alternatives, if required,? indicating that a final decision to pull out the project from West Bengal in the wake of farmers? protests was yet to be taken.

Later, addressing a press conference, Yeddyurappa said, ?The state government will support Tata Motors if the company plans to shift its Nano car unit from West Bengal to Karnataka.?

He said the state government would provide all facilities to Tatas. ?Let us see what the company will decide. First they (Tatas) must agree on shifting the project from West Bengal to other states.? If they are willing to relocate the project, he said, ?We are ready to provide them with whatever facilities they require.?

It is worthwhile to note that Tata Motors is setting up a facility in association with its joint venture Brazilian partner Marcopolo SA to manufacture buses. The plant is expected to go operational next month. Tata Motors officials also held discussions with the chief minister about their other projects in Karnataka.

Already, the Tata Group owns an earth moving, construction equipment manufacturing and body building unit in Dharward in Karnataka.

The meeting of Tata Motors officials with the chief minister of Karnataka gained significance in the wake of the ongoing resistance to the Nano car manufacturing unit in Singur and subsequent decision of the company to suspended work on the plant since August 24 citing the continued agitation at the project site in West Bengal.