The Hindu Business Line : Tatas likely to roll out first batch of Nano by October

Kolkata, June 25 Most of the ancillary units of Tata Motors’ factory in Singur are expected to be ready for operation by October, according to Mr Sandipan Chakravortty, Managing Director, Tata Ryerson Ltd. The first batch of Tata Nano would roll out around the same time, he said.

“The ancillary unit being set up by Tata Ryerson should be ready by August this year barring unforeseen developments,” Mr Chakravortty said on the sidelines of a press conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries.

“In the event of delay in commissioning of the other ancillary units, the components to be produced by these units might have to be sourced from outside the State”.

Initially, Nano cars would be assembled in Singur factory, he said, emphasising that the Tatas would do their best to roll out the car from the factory by October end.

Setting up ITIs

Mr Chakravortty, who is also the Chairman of the CII (Eastern Region), said the confederation would help set up 30 new ITIs in the eastern region this year, including 10 in West Bengal. The Centre has granted Rs 2.5 crore for each ITI for skill-upgradation and entrepreneur development.

CII was currently engaged in drawing up an action plan for ‘India @ 75 Vision’, with focus on the State-level plans for development. The final draft of the plan would be announced by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on January 26, 2009, he said.

CII, as he pointed out, has already discussed with the Chief Ministers of five States in the eastern region on how it can facilitate industrial development. While West Bengal and Orissa have accorded priority to infrastructural upgradation, Bihar has focused on generation of electricity and Chhattisgarh on the improvement of law and order, he said.

“West Bengal has particularly stressed the need to develop downstream units commensurate with the seven new steel plants that are coming up in the State,” he said.

“The investment scenario in the State is alright, considering that none of the proposed projects has been shifted elsewhere”.

CII has advised its members to directly approach the land owners while acquiring land for the purpose of setting up industries, he said, adding that the State government should act as the facilitator.