The Tatas might have pulled out the Nano project from Singur, but state Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty is confident that another car company will set up a manufacturing plant at the site.

Speaking to media at the Writers’ Buildings on Thursday, he said discussions were on with other car companies, which have shown interest in setting up a project at the Nano site. He, however, did not disclose the names of the companies.

The minister had earlier announced that an MoU would be signed with a car company on October 31. On Thursday, however, he modified his statement saying: “It (MoU) may not work out in October. But the negotiations will be over by November/December. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will announce the project in due time.”

Chakraborty’s comments are significant as these come a day after an official statement of the state government on the status of Singur. The government is determined to set up an industry on the site, as the land was acquired for industry.

The status of the acquired land at Singur is marred in legal complications. A petition challenging the land acquistion process in Singur is pending in the Supreme Court. Further, the Singur project land is still in the possession of Tatas and the ancillary units. The land cannot be used for any purpose unless the lease, by which the land was allotted to the companies, is repealed. Chakraborty said it would require some time to resolve the legal tangle.

The Save Nano Committee, meanwhile, continued its protest, demanding return of the Tatas to Singur. Representatives of the committee will meet the chief minister at the Writers’ Buildings on Friday.

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