Car crash test facility too being planned

Government of India paves way for a microprocessor fabrication unit in the country

The Government of India has paved way for private players to set up a microprocessor fabrication (FAB) plant in India. Investment in such a project is around $2 billion.

The government is also planning to facilitate the setting up of a car crash test facility in India which will require an investment of around half a billion dollars. The Andhra Pradesh government has shown interest ahead of others in hosting both the units.

Speaking at a seminar on infrastructure, 'SUMINFRA 2004', organised by CII in Bangalore on Thursday, Rajeeva Ratna Shah, secretary, Planning Commission, Government of India said: "We have completed plans to facilitate the entry of private players to set up a microprocessor fabrication unit in the country."

The facilitation required from the Centre for this is being finalised and "it is now up to a private player such as Intel or AMD to take a decision".

Initially, the government feels, it "will be a chip testing facility which will involve an investment of around $0.5 billion and later on, corporations are expected to step up into actual FAB."

Shah also revealed that the Government of India is contemplating setting up a car crash testing facility in India. "This still is in its infancy and logically this will be in the auto manufacturing cluster in the country." He further added that Andhra Pradesh has shown interest in hosting both the units.

Confirming the plans, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy delivering his address, said: "We have shown keen interest to have these units in our state and we are working closely with the Centre for this. We are giving high priority to infrastructure development and this is an indication that we are serious about developing the industrial economy of our state."

Calling on investors in infrastructure to make Southern India a growth corridor, Reddy urged entrepreueurs to adopt best practices and aid the wholesome growth of the rural economy so as to show the path for national allround growth.

Commenting on the need for co-operation between Southern States, Reddy said: "Our models of development can showcase win-win solutions, as the scope is immense. Our mutual consultation and camaraderie can remove bottlenecks in growth of the region," Reddy noted.

P G R Sindhia, industries minister, Government of Karnataka, delivering his special address said: "Our model of public-private-partnership is yielding good results in the development of infrastructure. It is true that infrastructure in Bangalore is falling short of our targets and citizens are increasingly facing undue hardships because of this. We are constantly addressing these issues and the forthcoming industrial policy will pave the way for more public-private-partnership in development of infrastructure."