Economic boost: Tata Motors transforms Singur

KOLKOTA : 11 Aug 08: Like it or curse it, the Tata Nano factory in Singur is happening. No matter what Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mamata Banerjee say or do from here on, the very presence of Tata Motors has had a spinoff on the local economy that villagers -- and both parties -- can hardly ignore.

Land prices in the areas along Durgapur Expressway, 40 km from Kolkata, have shot up at least five times since December 2006, when the government started the land acquisition. Roadside land in the Khaserbheri mouza is selling at Rs 50 lakh an acre. Two years ago, the rate ranged between Rs 8.7 lakh and Rs 12.8 lakh. Investors -- from Jindals to Haldiram Bhujiawala -- have already bought land outside the project area.

Source and details : Times of India