Ashok Leyland resumes production at Ennore plant

The Hinduja group flagship company Ashok Leyland today said it has resumed production at its Ennore facility, which was shut for two days due to heavy rains following cyclone 'Laila'.

The company had stopped production from the facility on May 20-21, resulting a loss of 200 units of commercial vehicles.

"Now production has become completely normal (from the weekend)," an Ashok Leyland spokesperson told PTI.

Last week, heavy rains under the influence of cyclonic storm 'Laila' lashed coastal districts of north Tamil Nadu, claiming two lives and throwing normal life out of gear.

"Certain sections of the plant were flooded and as a result, electrical equipment got wet. So we had to drain out the water, and for this we closed the plant for two days," the official said.

"We could have run few sections, but did not want to take any risk...," he added.

Ashok Leyland's Ennore facility has a capacity to produce 2,500 units of commercial vehicles per month.

Rains accompanying cyclone 'Laila' had inundated several areas in Tamil Nadu and people were forced to wade through knee-deep water. Office goers were put to hardship as traffic in all major roads moved at snail's pace due to water logging.

Fishermen, who put out to sea in over 100 boats, were reported missing during the week.

In Andhra Pradesh, at least 23 persons were killed and three others were missing as 'Laila' wreaked havoc in coastal areas of the state. During the period, about 70,000 people were provided with shelters in 300 relief camps in six coastal districts.