H-P likely to set up shop in Pantnagar

Industrial estate to be expanded by 500 acres

Computer giant Hewlett-Packard (H-P) is contemplating a move to set up a manufacturing unit at the Pantnagar industrial estate in Uttaranchal.

"Talks are in a preliminary stage with H-P executives," a government official said. If the talks materialise, then H-P will become the first computer major to set up its manufacturing unit in Uttaranchal. A team of H-P executives is expected to come to Pantnagar shortly in this connection.

With Tata Motors also showing interest in setting up a new manufacturing unit in the state, the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Ltd (SIDCUL) is all set to expand the Pantnagar industrial estate by adding 500 acres.

A total of 364 companies have proposed an investment of Rs 1,714 crore in the Pantnagar industrial estate, which has attracted investments from top companies like Britannia, Nestle, Parley Biscuits, and Dabur.

The Pantnagar industrial estate recently received an investment of Rs 500 crore from Bajaj Auto, which is establishing a manufacturing unit for motorbikes. Bajaj Auto is expected to produce 3,000 bikes a day.

Of the 364 companies which have proposed to set up units in this industrial estate, nearly 227 of them have already got possession of industrial plots. Nearly 107 industries are under construction while 20 companies, including Dabur, have started production.

Initially, the Pantnagar estate was being developed on 3,339 acres. But with Tata Motors and other big companies showing interest in setting up units, the SIDCUL wants to expand the estate to accommodate them.