Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Singur 20 Years On: Tata’s Aborted Nano Plant
A long time ago, Tata Motors wanted to build a car factory in Singur, West Bengal.
The government took land from farmers, but many people, led by Mamata Banerjee, protested because they didn't want to lose their farmland.
After many protests and legal battles, Tata Motors left Singur and built the factory in another state.
The Supreme Court later said the land should be returned to the farmers.
Now, 20 years later, Singur is again important in politics.
The Prime Minister and Mamata Banerjee are both holding rallies there to talk about jobs and industry.
The BJP says many companies have left Bengal, while the TMC says they support farmers and will announce new projects.
Tata Motors planned to build the Nano car plant in Singur, West Bengal, in 2006, leading to protests over land acquisition.
Mamata Banerjee led protests against the project, which contributed to the fall of the Left Front government and her rise to power.
The Supreme Court ordered the return of 997 acres of land to farmers in 2016, ending the legal battle over the project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP criticize the TMC for alleged anti-industry policies and limited industrial growth in Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee plans to hold a rally in Singur to counter the BJP's narrative and announce new projects, including the second phase of the 'Banglar Bari' project and a wire-housing project for the Singur industrial area.
- Who
- Tata Motors, Mamata Banerjee, Narendra Modi, Left Front, BJP, CPI(M)
- What
- Aborted Tata Nano plant project and political rallies in Singur
- When
- 2006-2008 (project), 2016 (Supreme Court decision), 2024 (current political context)
- Where
- Singur, Hooghly district, West Bengal
- Why
- Land acquisition protests, political opposition, and industrialization policies
- Location
- Singur, Hooghly district, West Bengal
- Project
- Tata Nano car manufacturing plant
- Land Acquired
- 997 acres
- Land Returned
- 400 acres to unwilling farmers
- Supreme Court Decision
- 2016, quashed land acquisition, ordered land return
- Political Impact
- Ended Left Front rule, propelled Mamata Banerjee to power
- Current Political Context
- BJP and TMC rallies in Singur ahead of Assembly elections
- BJP Claim
- 6,688 companies left Bengal in the last 14 years