Uttarakhand readying itself for possible Nano plant shift

The state has passed transfer orders for 100 acres that the Tatas had been requesting for to expand their Pantnagar unit which churns out the Ace mini-truck and could soon also manufacture the Nano.

The Uttarakhand government on its part has pulled out all stops to woo the Tatas. The state, in a rush to upgrade infrastructure at Pantnagar, has decided to four-lane NH87 on its own rather than wait for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to consider their request.

“A meeting was held and it has been decided that the 100 acre additional land will be transferred to (the Tatas). Presently, the land is with the G B Pant Agricultural university and they will be given land transfer orders next week,” state industries principal secretary P C Sharma told The Indian Express.

Tata motors has been demanding 200 acres adjoining their 1,100-acre plant in Pantnagar. While the issue was in limbo till now, with things heating up in Singur and the possibility of Tata moving to its Nano plant to the hill state becoming more and more real, the state has swung into action. Chief minister B C Khanduri had issued special orders last week asking that all outstanding issues with Tata Motors be resolved within a week.