Rediff article on :Tata seeks more land at Pantnagar for Nano

Despite slowdown in auto and other sectors due to the global financial turmoil, Tata Motors [Get Quote] is now seeking more land for expanding its Pantnagar manufacturing facility from where it wants to roll out the first small car, the Nano.

Official sources said that top company officials recently met Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri and demanded 35 acres of additional land for expanding the facility. Earlier, the company had sought 55 acres of land at Pantnagar for housing purpose. The government is yet to take a decision in this regard.

The sources said the automobile major is planning to build a railyard at Pantnagar, which would be linked to nearby railway track. The company has also assured the chief minister that it would launch the first Nano from Pantnagar itself. However, no date has been given in this regard. Tata Motors is currently manufacturing Ace truck from Pantnagar.