Singur cars in June likely

  • 20/02/2008

  • Statesman (Kolkata)

The trial production of the Tata Motors' controversial small car will begin at Singur in June or July to be followed by commercial production around October, Mr Ravi Kant, its managing director, said today after reviewing the progress of the ongoing construction. However, the Trinamul Congress greeted the announcement with a fresh threat that no car would be allowed to roll out of the factory till land is returned to the unwilling farmers who hadn't given their consent to its acquisition by the state government. Mr Kant, who visited the factory site along with other senior officials of the company, told reporters : "We are happy with the progress so far. Trial production would start in June or July and two months later commercial production would begin.' He inspected various facilities such as press shop, welding shop, assembly line, engine and paint shop which were being put up inside the plant premises. Civil construction firm Shapoorji Pallonji, Tata Motors and the West Bengal government were coordinating the work, he said. "We do hope the way things are moving, work would be completed in time unless there are unforeseen circumstances like rain', he said. Mr Partha Chatterjee, Leader of the Opposition, said Mr Kant could announce a time table for the production of the small with the help of security provided by the state government. "But the state can't provide the company permanent security,' he said.