Tens of thousands of demonstrators at Singur claim that 400 acres were taken illegally from smallholders by the state's communist-led government and are demanding the land back. On Thursday more than 3,600 workers were prevented from leaving the plant by angry mobs. After receiving threats of further violence, the company told its staff to stay at home.
Tata was hoping to start selling the Nano in October 2008 but analysts say the demonstrations have put the target date for the debut of the $2500 car under threat. Tata Motors was allotted 1,000 acres of prime agriculture land at the Pantnagar industrial estate in the hope that the company would set up its dream Nano project in Uttarakhand. It has now agreed in principle to allot 50 acres more to the auto giant.
Tata Motors is seeking 100 acres for housing purposes. Meanwhile, continues over the Nano project being shifted to the hill state. The buzz is that if West Bengal is no longer an option, the Nano may find a new home in Pantnagar, Uttaranchal. Tata Motors already has a two-lakh unit capacity at the Pantnagar plant for its vehicle Ace, which is not very different from the Nano.
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