In an important moment for the Indian auto industry, the Tata Nano project, once poised to revolutionize affordable transportation, has shifted its operations from West Bengal to Gujarat. The change, initiated by a simple SMS from then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to industrialist Ratan Tata, marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in the Nano’s journey.
The decision to cancel the project comes after intense protests led by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee against land acquisition in Singur by the ruling Left Front government led by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjeein West Bengal. These protests, which broke out in 2006, created an impossible environment for the Tata Group to set up its own unit to produce what was claimed to be the cheapest car in the world.
On 3 October 2008, Ratan Tata announced the withdrawal of the Nano project in West Bengal during a press conference in Kolkata.
“When Ratan Tata spoke at a press conference in Kolkata that they are leaving West Bengal, I sent him an SMS saying ‘Welcome’. Now you can see that a Re 1 (appropriate) SMS can be done,” then Chief Minister Modi. he said when he launched the Tata Nano factory in Sanand in 2010.
The relocation was completed in a few days, the Gujarat government helped set up a Nano plant in Sanand. In 2010, the facility was inaugurated with a massive investment of Rs 2,000 crore, marking an important milestone for both the Tata Group and the state of Gujarat.
During the inauguration, Narendra Modi highlighted Gujarat’s commitment to attracting the industry, saying, “Many countries were willing to give all the help for the Nano project, but the Gujarat government officials ensured that the project does not come out of India.”
When the first Tata Nano rolled off the production line in June 2010, Ratan Tata expressed gratitude to the Gujarat government. He commented, “When we wanted another Nano plant, we wanted to move to peace and harmony. Gujarat stood out against all the others by assuring us of everything we needed. ‘It was not just Tata’s project, it was our project,’ Modi told us. We need a big thank you for the support and trust placed in us.”
Despite its promising start, production of the Tata Nano was discontinued in 2018, closing an important chapter in the Indian automotive sector.
In particular, the titan of Indian industry Ratan Tata died on Wednesday at the age of 86. He has been receiving treatment for the past few days and is said to be in critical condition.
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