Karnataka clears Rs 355 crore TKAP and Cataler projects

The Karnataka government has recently cleared two major auto projects in the state worth Rs 355 crore, involving two automotive suppliers – Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts’ (TKAP) and  Cataler India Auto Parts.

According to a statement released by the state government, the State High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) chaired by the chief minister has cleared 13 projects with an investment of over Rs 9,912 crore. These projects are expected to create 6,000 jobs in the nine districts of the state.

The projects involved are Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts’ (TKAP) new Rs 250 crore investment and Cataler India Auto Parts’ project for Rs 105 crore in the Bidadi Industrial Area, Ramanagara Karnataka.

The Bidadi-based TKAP was set up in 2002 as a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Industries Corporation and Kirloskar Systems. It manufactures axles and shafts, transmissions, engines and supplies to Toyota companies locally and globally.

Cataler, a Japanese global supplier, specializes in automotive catalysts and operates in several markets including USA, Europe, South America, India and China. The company makes automotive catalysts (for both petrol and diesel engines), PGM solution, materials for the catalyst, catalysts for fuel cell engines, motorcycle catalyst (metal honeycomb, pipe, multi-tube), among  other products. Some of the key auto majors to whom it supplies its catalysts include Toyota, Daihatsu Motor, Hino Motors, Fuji Heavy Industries, Isuzu Motors, Suzuki Motor and General Motors and two-wheeler makers like Yamaha and Suzuki.

Meanwhile, in a major step, Karnataka has amended the Industry Facilitation Act and decentralised powers to approve projects at a district-level, single-window meeting. Henceforth, the deputy commissioner has got the power to approve projects involving a cost of Rs 15 crore while a State-level single-window clearance committee headed by the chief secretary to the government can approve approve projects costing between Rs 15 crore to Rs 100 crore. Projects which see investment of more than Rs 100 crore will have to be approved by a e State-level, high-level committee.