Small car project in WB: Ratan Tata

Tata Motors today ended the suspense over the location its new plant to manufacture small cars by announcing that it will be set up in the Singur block of West Bengal's Hooghly district.

At least four other states wer believed to be vying for the plant, which is likely to absorb about Rs 1,000 crore, including direct investment by Tata Motors and its vendors.

This will be the company's first plant in West Bengal and provide a much-needed dose of investment in the state, which has in recent times suffered the decline of its erstwhile prominent corporate citizens like Hindustan Motors and Dunlop.

According to a statement by the company, the construction of the plant will commence shortly and it will be commissioned in 2008.

"This investment is a reflection of the confidence that the Tata Group has in the investment climate and the government of West Bengal. We look forward to the opportunity of revitalising the automotive industry in the state," said Tata Motors Chairman Ratan N Tata, who met Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today.