Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said Tata Group has applied to invest 100
bln rupees (about $1 bln) to build a shipbuilding project in the state. The
government will provide land and is actively reviewing the proposal, with
approval expected within a month. If approved, the project would be a new
business line for the conglomerate, whose market value is roughly $180 bln and
whose operations include coffee, luxury autos, steel and smartphones.