TML expects Kharagpur land by July

Tata Metaliks (TML) will put its diversification project in Kharagpur on hold if land acquisition by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) is not completed by July.

Speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce today, Harsh Jha, managing director of Tata Metaliks, said, "We hope to receive the 350 acres in Kharagpur by the end of July this year. We have already paid Rs 8 crore or 78 per cent of the land price to WBIDC, but have still not got any confirmation from the government on this."

TML had applied for 350-acre near its existing plant in Kharagpur for expansion in February 2005. The expansion plan in 2005 was estimated at Rs 700-900 crore. However, the project cost has sky-rocketed due to the delay, Jha said.

"If we do not get the land by July-end, we will concentrate on other projects and will look for alternative sites outside West Bengal," Jha added.