WB govt asks Railways to inspect Tata Nano factory site

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has requested the Railways to send a team of officials to inspect the abandoned Tata Nano factory site in Singur for a proposed rail coach factory. This follows the Railways wish to undertake a survey of the land. The state government was responding to a letter sent by chairman Railway Board S S Khurana saying the Railways had taken an in-principle decision to set up a world class factory at Singur.

Railway ministry spokesperson in Delhi confirmed receipt of the letter from the West Bengal government on Friday. He, however, refused to divulge any further details.

A source in the Railways added that this was a logical step forward in any project. Anyone interested in setting up a project would be keen to do a survey of land to get a first hand idea about its suitability. "In any project, one needs do a recee of the proposed site of the factory," he added.

Sources in the ministry added that the railway ministry is yet to form a concerete proposal on such a coach factory. "A number of things need to be decided. All we can say at this point is that we plan to set up a modern factory to produce good quality LHB coaches," they said. The ministry has to prepare a detailed proposal on the factory which will then have to be cleared by the Railway Board.