Maharashtra CM woos auto industry, promises convention centre

Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan is bullish about his state’s prospects as an investment destination, despite growing competition from other states.

Addressing a gathering of automotive industry players at the inauguration of an auto ancillary show in Pune on October 25, Chavan, who is known for a low-key style, urged prospective investors to seriously consider Maharashtra for new investments. Home to some of India’s homegrown automobile majors such as Bajaj Auto and Tata Motors, the state boasts of having attracted investments from global OEMs such as Volkswagen and General Motors.

However, in the wake of fresh investments by automotive industry players in locations outside Maharshtra, the chief minister shared information about some plans to attract new investments. Among other things, he said that the automotive hub of Pune-Chakan will see the construction of one of the biggest convention centres in the country.

Along with the planned international airport at Chakan, this could act as a catalyst to host automotive events. Chavan also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve the Pune-Mumbai road network.

Regarding the issue of relatively high power tariffs, the chief minister said that a group of ministers has been formed to address the issue. He also assured provision of uninterrupted power to industrial units, and advised companies to not fall for promises of cheap power tariff by some states at the cost of poor power supply.

Maharashtra may have lost out on some opportunities in terms of investment by automotive companies, but the chief minister told industry representatives that the state continues to attract the highest amount of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and its Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is the highest in the country. Moreover, the planned Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor may raise Maharashtra’s prospects again as an investment destination for both Indian and multinational automotive players.

SUMANTRA BAROOAH

Photograph: Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan takes a look at some Autocar Professional copies as associate editor Sumantra Barooah has a word with him at the Auto Ancillary Show 2013 held at the Auto Cluster Complex, Pune.