Maruti Suzuki is planning to set up an integrated logistics hub near Kolkata at an estimated investment of over INR 100 crore. The country's leading automakeris eyeing some 60 acres near Panagarh for the project.
The proposal is at a preliminary stage and is yet to be submitted to the West Bengal government. This will be Maruti's second such facility in the state since the auto major has already outlined plans to set up a INR 80 crore hub at Siliguri to cater to its customers in across North Bengal and the North east.
The proposed unit will have warehousing facility for 10,000 to 15,000 cars, a servicing unit and a store house for automobile spares. It will also have a training facility. It will service Maruti's existing and future client base across the entire eastern region in states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhatisgarh.
This part of a long term strategy drawn up by the country's leading automaker to locate close to its customers and consolidate its market share across regions.
In recent months, Maruti has been facing intense competition from its rivals. The company also suffered a major jolt in production due to prolonged strike at its Manesar factory.
On Friday, officials from Maruti Suzuki meet state industries minister Mr Partha Chatterjee, industry secretary Basudeb Banerjee, and WBIIDC executives to discuss their plans in the state.
Mr R Dayal executive officer (production engineering) Maruti Suzuki after the meeting said that "Our plans for a facility near Kolkata are at a nascent stage. We want to set up a warehousing facility for 10,000 to 15,000 cars, which will also include a servicing unit, a store house for automobile spares and a training facility.”
Maruti has a 65% share of the market in the East. Mr Dayal added that "We will inspect the land near Panagarh which is inside an industrial park being constructed by the state government. Alternatively, we are interested in land on the national highway, preferably close to a railway link.”
A Maruti official added that "We were initially keen to set up the hub at Jharkhand. However, the Bengal government's investor friendly moves has prompted us to locate it near Kolkata.”
(Sourced from ET)
