Tata Motors' pride, the Nano, rolled out to a 'stormy' start from its plant here, 40 km from Ahmedabad.
This storm was a vagary of nature, unlike the political turbulence faced in Singur, West Bengal, forcing Tatas to rehabilitate from the Left bastion to the citadel of Right- wing BJP.
Within hours of officially inaugurating the Rs 2,000 crore Sanand plant, Tata Motors group chief Ratan Tata and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had to scurry for cover as rains and dusty winds engulfed the entire area, forcing the company to abandon the event mid-way.
The storm also led to the cancellation of a scheduled press conference by Tata at a 'pandal' (tent) erected outside the factory by Tata Motors. All mediapersons, who had assembled from various places, were evacuated from the spot to the safety of the plant.
A portion of ceiling at the entrance of the plant collapsed due to the storm, which also uprooted several street lamps inside the factory complex.
In October 2008, Tata Motors abandoned plans for setting up the Nano manufacturing plant in Singur following fierce opposition from locals with protests spearheaded by Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee.
As it searched for a new site, the company started limited production of Nano -- touted as the world's cheapest car with a factory gate price of Rs 100,000 (little over $2,000) -- from its Pantnagar plant in Uttarakhand (rpt) Uttarakhand.
Modi welcomed the Tatas to his state, offering express clearance to the project, land et al.
"When I came here first on an industry visit, invited by Gujarat Chief Minister, I was told that if it (the Nano plant) is not in Gujarat, I will be a stupid.
"I am no longer stupid after investing on the plant in Gujarat," Tata said, inaugurating the plant.
