Pantnagar estate expands to space in Tatas

With Tata Motors evincing interest in setting up a new manufacturing unit, the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Limited (SIDCUL) is all set to expand its Pantnagar industrial estate by adding 500 acres more land.

A total of 364 companies have proposed investment of Rs 1714 crore in the Pantnagar industrial estate.

For accommodating Tatas, the government would also seek a cabinet clearance for the expansion of the Pantnagar industrial estate which has attracted investments from big topnotch companies like Britannia, Nestle and Parley Biscuits and Dabur.

"We have to expand our Pantnagar industrial estate to accommodate Tata Motors," a top government official said. Tata Motors at present wants nearly 1000 acres of land for setting up a manufacturing unit in the state.

Though, Tata Motors is still to give its find nod in this regard, the government officials said the deal is final. Last month, senior officials of the company visited Dehra Dun and met Chief Minister N D Tiwari to finalize the deal.

Nevertheless, the government will acquire 500 acres of land from the Pantnagar University. The university authorities have given his consent in this regard. The Pantnagar industrial estate has also attracted an investment of Rs 500 crore from Bajaj Auto recently, which would establish a manufacturing unit for producing motorbikes.

Bajaj Auto is expected to produce 3,000 bikes a day. Out of the 364 companies which have proposed to set up their units in this industrial estate, nearly 227 of them have already got possession of plots. Nearly 107 industries are under construction while 20 companies, including Dabur, have started production.