Tata Motors was driven out of Singur but soon a Nano will make its way back here. Sheikh Zairul Haq, a farmer in Singur whose land was acquired by the state government three years ago for the Nano project, is all set to book the world’s cheapest car.

A resident of Joynmollah village in Singur, Haq got Rs 1.86 lakh as compensation for his land. “My family gave our land voluntarily for the project. We were happy that our area was being developed. Ever since the factory shed came up, everybody in my family dreamt of owning this car. Now, I am ready to own the Nano,” says Haq, flaunting the booking form he got through a friend.

“I gave Rs 300 to a friend in Singur to get me the form. I even went to the local banks but the forms were not available there. So my friends got me one from a showroom in Kolkata. I will submit my application when the booking opens on April 9,” says Haq, whose son Anarul worked at Tata Motors’ ancillary unit as a cleaner before it shut.

Haq is not the only one in Singur ready to drive the Nano. Sadai Koley who supplied raw materials to the Nano project site is also keen to book one. “I was involved with the project. It was scuttled but at least I can own the car,” says Koley, a wealthy businessman.

But not everyone in Singur has reason to be happy. For most farmers, these are uncertain times, with the Nano factory gone and development coming to a halt. The shops that mushroomed up around the factory are left with no customers.

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