Khanduri keeps watch on Singur

Watching closely the latest Singur developments in the wake of fresh stalemate, Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri today looked a bit enthused.

“Yesterday, there was an agreement (at Singur). But today things are different. Let’s see what happens,” said Khanduri when asked what was happening on the Nano front after Tata Motors expressed its distress over the Singur accord.

Top state government and SIDCUL officials also looked optimistic as far as Nano project was concerned. “We are ready to help them out,” said a SIDCUL official amidst speculation that Tata Motors could shift the Nano car project to Pantnagar, the hub of the industrial activities in the state.

Khanduri again reiterating that his government was ready to extend all help to the auto giant in case it sets up the world cheapest car plant at Pantnagar.

But the chief minister has so far avoided sending a formal invitation to Tata Motors in this regard. He is of the view that the issue can be settled once the proposal comes formally.

The state government has been trying to lure Tata Motors stating that the company must take benefits of the heavy sops available in the state in the wake of Central Industrial Package (CIP) 2003.

The state government has expressed its readiness to give 250 to 300 acres of extra land to Tata motors for the car plant.

At present, the company has 300 acres of land available at its 1,000-acre industrial plot where it is manufacturing Ace trucks.

“We think for producing Nano, they need something around 600 acres. 300 acres is available with Tata Motors and we can arrange 200 to 300 acres more,” said a government official.

But the official refused to say anything about any new activity taking place inside Pantnagar industrial plot of the Tatas.