Tatas keen to invest in IT, tourism, steel in Orissa : Ratan

The Tata group is looking at the prospect of investing in IT, tourism, infrastructure and steel making in Orissa in a big way.

This was revealed by Tata group chairman Ratan Tata during his discussions with the chief minister Naveen Patnaik here today. Tata, who was on an exploratory mission in the state, later told newsmen that the state had a great potential to grow industrially. "We are looking at investing in the state in the field of IT, tourism and steel making", he said.

On the reported offer by the Tatas to take over Nilachal Ispat Nigam Ltd, a public sector steel company promoted jointly by MMTC and Orissa government, he said, the proposal is being examined now.

Earlier in the afternoon, soon after his arrival in the city, Ratan Tata visited the Infocity and Fourtune Tower, two IT hubs built by the state government and enquired about the facilities available there.

Tata's visit to these two places has raised the speculation about TCS opening a software development centre here. It may be noted that software giants Infosys and Satyam have their development centres in the city and plan to expand their facilities soon.

Several ministers and senior government officials, who accompanied Ratan Tata to Infocity and other places were also present during his talks with the chief minister in the state secretariat.

Later talking to newsmen, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, the government has requested the house of Tatas to invest in the state in such sectors as power, tourism, IT and port building.

Incidentally, Tisco board has recently approved a proposal to develop a greenfield port at Dhamra in Orissa at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore and signed an agreement with L&T in this regard.