The Hindu Business Line : Ural India to start assembling unit for trucks soon

Initially, the trucks would be imported from Russia in completely knocked down versions; 100 per cent indigenisation would be achieved when the plant would operate at full capacity by 2009.

Kolkata , Feb. 10

THE year was 1942. Hindustan Motors became the country's first car manufacturer when production started at the company's plant at Uttarpara near here. Now West Bengal is set to have its second - and the first in the last 64 years - automobile unit.

Ural India Ltd, a joint venture of the Kolkata-based Motijug Group, the West Bengal Government and Uralaz of Russia, will soon start assembling heavy-duty and high-capacity trucks, dump trucks and tippers at its manufacturing facility that is currently being set up at Haldia at a cumulative investment of Rs 550 crore.

The West Bengal Government holds 11 per cent of the equity stake in the joint venture company while the Indian and Russian partners each hold 44.5 per cent of the equity stake in Ural India Ltd. While, initially, the trucks made by Ural India Ltd would be imported from Russia in CKD (completely knocked down) versions, 100 per cent indigenisation would be achieved when the plant would operate at full capacity by 2009, Mr J.K. Saraff, Chairman of Ural India Ltd, told Business Line.

At full capacity, the plant would be equipped to manufacture 40,000 units of heavy-duty trucks, dump trucks and tippers that would find applications in the army as well as sectors such as infrastructure, mining, road construction, etc. The vehicles would be fitted with diesel engines in the 240-330 horse power range. The West Bengal government has allotted 300 acres of land at Haldia where the plant is being set up. The company has requested the state government for an additional 200 acres of land for accommodating the test track.

Mr Saraff said Uralaz was Russia's largest automobile company with a presence in over 70 countries globally. Heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Uralaz are purchased regularly by the Indian Army, too. "The Indian army buys, on an average, 1,500 trucks every year from Uralaz and is among the single-largest buyer of Uralaz trucks in the world", Mr Saraff said, and added that Ural India would address the Indian Army's requirements in this regard.

According to him, Ural India has targeted sales of 7,000 truck units in the fiscal 2006-07. These trucks would be sold under the Ural brand name. In co-ordination with the West Bengal Small Industries Development Corporation, efforts are on to develop ancillary units in the region.

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