Centre Plans to Rope in Tatas for Defence Unit at Gopalpur.

Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan recently said an endeavour has been made by the Centre to set up a defence production unit at Gopalpur in Ganjam district.

'Steps have been initiated for establishment of a defence manufacturing unit at Gopalpur in partnership with Tata Group as part of 'Make in India' drive,' Pradhan said at a media conference.

The Union Minister said he has taken up the matter both with the Defence Ministry and the Tata Group and the indications are very positive. The Tata Group will be a major partner with the State and the Central governments for the proposed defence production unit. The project, which is at a conceptual stage, can be developed jointly by Tata Group, the State Government and the Centre, Pradhan said.

The Tata Group is in possession of 2,970 acres of land at Gopalpur. The land was acquired by the company for setting up a steel plant in 1990s but the project was later shelved due to public resistance.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS