With Singur continuing to be a thorn in the Tatas’ side, it is possible that they are looking at Punjab as a back-up to their ambitious Rs 1-lakh-car project. At least, that’s what the speculation is all about here as news broke that a Tata Motors’ team will recce possible plant sites in Punjab later this month.
Sources who did not want to be named said a 15-member Tata Motors team will visit the state on Aug 22.
After the Bathinda refinery got Punjab its biggest FDI, the state now seems to be on the radar of the Tatas.
That the Tatas might be looking for a small-car plant site in the region is a possibility that stems from their earlier plans of setting up a manufacturing plant in Punjab. But the hype ended when the Tatas announced that the project would be set up at Singur in West Bengal. Whatever the case may be, the impending visit of the Tata group team has sparked much enthusiasm among the state government’s decision-makers.
Tata group executives, however, sought to make it clear that there would be no going back on Singur, come what may. But they refused to comment on the groups plans for Punjab. They also confirmed their visit later this month.
Talking to FE, Manpreet Badal, finance minister, Punjab, said, “We have shortlisted a few sites, including one each in Bathinda, Patiala and Ropar, for the company. There is no shortage of land and if the company is interested in setting up a mega project here, we can provide them concessions. But first, we need to develop infrastructure in the state and only then would investments would pour in. I intend to generate investments worth around Rs 35,000 crore for the state in the next five years.”