Tatas in expansion mode in Karnataka

Tata Group is on an expansion spree in Karnataka, with new projects of its companies at various stages, including the proposed 100-acre Tata Consultancy Service campus here.

Senior Tata Group officials, including the Vice-Chairman of Tata Steel B Muthuraman, met the state Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and reviewed a number of projects here on Tuesday.

Industry and Commerce Secretary V P Baligar told PTI later that TCS has approached the Government to allot 100 acres to set up a campus at IT park in Deveanahalli on the outskirts of the city.

He said the Chief Minister has assured the Group about the land allotment. "It will be one of the biggest campuses of TCS in India", he said.

Baligar said land acquisition for Tata Metaliks is Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion), three million tonne annual capacity plant in Haveri is progressing smoothly. Tata Consulting Engineers would be allotted five acres of land for its project, while the Group's hotel business plans to set up two "Ginger" brand hotels in Belgaum and Hubli.

Tata Housing has approached the Government with proposals and it has been assured that land would be given to it in any of the industrial areas. Tata Power has participated in the bidding process of Bidadi power project.

Tata Realty is one of the bidders for the proposed mono- rail and high-speed rail link projects in the city, besides development of national highway and state highway, he said.

Talking about various Tata Group projects, Muthuraman said "we have already submitted proposals. We came just for a review. Tatas are into many projects in Karnataka".

Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani, Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai and Chief Secretary S V Ranganath were also among the ones present here.

Image: Ratan Tata