When PM Modi brought Nano to Gujarat after 1 word message to Ratan Tata in 2008

In a pivotal moment for India’s automotive industry, the Tata Nano project, once poised to revolutionize affordable transportation, has shifted its operations from West Bengal to Gujarat. This transition, ignited by a simple SMS from then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to industrialist Ratan Tata, marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another in the Nano’s journey.
The decision to relocate the project came after intense protests led by Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee against land acquisition in Singur by the ruling Left Front government led by Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjeein West Bengal. These protests, which erupted in 2006, created an untenable environment for the Tata Group to establish its production unit for what was touted as the world’s cheapest car.
On October 3, 2008, Ratan Tata announced the withdrawal of the Nano project from West Bengal during a press conference in Kolkata.
“When Ratan Tata said in a press conference in Kolkata that they are leaving West Bengal, I sent him a short SMS saying ‘welcome’. And now you can see what a Re 1 (worth) SMS can do,” then Chief Minister Modi said while inaugurating the Tata Nano plant at Sanand in 2010.
The relocation was finalized in a matter of days, with the Gujarat government facilitating the establishment of the Nano plant in Sanand. In 2010, the plant was inaugurated with a substantial investment of Rs 2,000 crore, marking a significant milestone for both the Tata Group and the state of Gujarat.
During the inauguration, Narendra Modi highlighted Gujarat’s commitment to attracting industry, stating, “Many countries were keen to offer all help for the Nano project, but the Gujarat government officers ensured that the project did not go out of India.”
When the first Tata Nano rolled off the production line in June 2010, Ratan Tata expressed gratitude towards the Gujarat government. He remarked, “When we searched for another Nano plant, we wanted to move to peace and harmony. Gujarat stood out against all others in guaranteeing us all that we needed. ‘It was not just Tata’s project, it is our project,’ Modi told us. We owe a great lot of gratitude for the support and confidence placed in us.”
Despite its promising start, production of the Tata Nano was discontinued in 2018, closing a significant chapter in the Indian automotive sector.
Notably, Indian industry titan Ratan Tata died on Wednesday at the age of 86. He had been undergoing treatment for the past few days and was said to be in critical condition.