Tata's Nano, one man's gain, another's loss

Sanand (Gujarat)/Singur, Mar 21 (ANI): As Tata Motors is all set to launch Nano, the world's cheapest car, on Monday, residents in Sanand, where Tata's new Nano plant is being set up, are upbeat at the prospects.

Residents were excited, looking forward to the jobs it would create.

"The direct benefit of the project is the employment that it will create, but there are several indirect benefits. It will create opportunities for the transport business, hotel industry and all other small businesses will get a fillip," said Ravubha Vaghela, a businessman.

But there were others for whom the wait seemed to be getting longer.

"The project has definitely put Sanand on the world map, but I don't think the workers and farmers will be much benefited out of it," said Bahadurbhai, another resident.

Back in Singur, the mood is sombre despite the fact that the opponents of the project achieved their goal by driving out the Tata Motors project.

"It is shocking and very sad. So many boys and girls took training and were dreaming of jobs. There were proposals for huge development. Singur residents have been deprived of all that," said Srikanto Chatterjee, a resident.

Tata Motors Ltd moved in its ultra low-cost Nano car to Sanand in Gujarat following violent protests at Singur in West Bengal.

The plant to be built at Sanand, near Ahmedabad, is located on about 1,100 acres, and will have an initial capacity of 250,000 units, which can be expanded to up to 500,000 cars per year. (ANI)