Maruti set to kick off new innings in Haryana

May 19 was a special day for Maruti Suzuki India when it paid Rs 2,131 crore to the Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation.

- Mayank Dhingra

This was towards the acquisition of 800 acres in the Industrial Model Township Kharkhoda in Sonepat district for a third plant scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.

The company's board has cleared an initial capex of Rs 11,000 crore for an installed capacity of 250,000 units in the first phase with plans to reach one million units across four manufacturing lines over the next eight years.

Eventually, Maruti Suzuki aims to exit Gurugram where it began its India story. "We acknowledge the fact that the residential areas nearby should be kept away from industrial activity and are, therefore, working towards a plan," said RC Bhargava, Chairman.

Maruti could be rightfully credited for playing a big role in converting the Gurugram-Manesar belt into a vibrant automotive hub with a slew of big auto brands present here right from vehicle makers to suppliers. Right now, its 300-acre facility in Gurugram has a capacity of 700,000 units while the other in Manesar spread over 600 acres rolls out 800,000 cars every year. "It is going to take at least 7-to-8 years to build and develop Kharkhoda," added Bhargava.