Modi Brought Nano Plant to Gujarat with 1 Word SMS to Ratan Tata in 2008

Modi’s 1-word SMS Brought Nano Plant to Gujarat

• In 2008, Narendra Modi sent an SMS with the word ‘welcome’ to Ratan Tata, shifting the Nano plant from Bengal to Gujarat.

• The project moved after protests led by Mamata Banerjee.

• This marked a turning point for Gujarat’s industrial growth.

In 2008, then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi played a pivotal role in relocating the Tata Nano plant from West Bengal to Gujarat with a simple one-word SMS. Amidst intense protests led by Mamata Banerjee against land acquisition in Singur, the Tata Group had to withdraw its Nano project from Bengal. At that crucial moment, Modi sent Ratan Tata an SMS with the word “welcome” as the Tata chairman announced their exit from Bengal during a press conference in Kolkata.

This SMS paved the way for the Nano plant’s relocation to Gujarat. By 2010, the plant was successfully inaugurated in Sanand with a significant investment of Rs 2,000 crore. This milestone marked a turning point for both the Tata Group and Gujarat.

The protests in West Bengal, spearheaded by the Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, had created a challenging environment for the Tata Group to set up its production facility for the world’s cheapest car. With protests starting in 2006, it became evident by 2008 that the project could not continue in Bengal, leading to its withdrawal on October 3, 2008.

The Gujarat government swiftly facilitated the relocation of the project to Sanand, showcasing the state’s industrial potential. During the inauguration, Modi highlighted how Gujarat ensured that the project stayed within India, despite offers from several countries.

When the first Tata Nano rolled off the production line in June 2010, Ratan Tata expressed his gratitude towards the Gujarat government, stating that the state stood out for providing peace and harmony, essential for the project’s success. He also praised Modi’s assurance that the Nano project was not just Tata’s project but Gujarat’s project.

Despite its initial success, the Tata Nano’s production was discontinued in 2018, marking the end of an era in India’s automotive history.

On Wednesday, Ratan Tata, an industrial giant, philanthropist, and national icon, passed away at the age of 86 at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, where he had been in critical condition.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

See Full Bio