Following the success of Tata Motors’ Ace, Hindustan Motors is considering foraying into the sub 1-tonne mini-truck segment. This was disclosed by HM managing director Ravi Santhanam at the sidelines of a conference to announce plans to ramp up its unused auto-component facility by investing close to Rs 100 crore. These form part of the company’s plan to develop 314 acres of land at its Uttarpara facility in West Bengal which also includes creating an IT Park and housing complexes, officials of the company said. The proposal for the alternative use of the land got the state cabinet nod yesterday.“We understand that the West Bengal government has approved our application for land usage. The company is awaiting a formal communication,” said Santhanam. “We appointed HDFC about six months back to advise us on this project including taking care of the legal aspects. We expect to receive a clear road map as to how to develop the land within the next three to four months,” he added. As the West Bengal government is keen to develop the IT and ITeS sector, the company would be setting aside a substantial portion execlusively for this sector, said Dipak Munshi, in charge of the project.
