February 9, 2026e-Paper
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February 9, 2026e-Paper
Updated – February 09, 2026 09:23 pm IST – RANIPET
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran at the inauguration of the Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover car manufacturing facility at Panapakkam village in Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu on Monday (February 9, 2026). | Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy
Reaffirming confidence in the ‘Dravidian model’ of governance, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said on Monday (February 9, 2026) that Tamil Nadu had grown to compete with nations in attracting investment.
He was speaking after inaugurating the ₹9,000-crore Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) passenger car manufacturing plant and rolling out the first Range Rover Evoque at Panapakkam village in Ranipet district. He said global investors knew well that the Tamil Nadu government would deliver on its guarantees. Tamil Nadu had long ago stopped competing with other (Indian) States and had grown to compete with other nations, he said.
Mr. Stalin said the Tata Group has deep roots in the State, especially in the industrial sector, through its chain of companies such as TCS, Taj Hotels, Titan, Tata Power, and Tata Electronics. “The presence of the Tata Group in the State has only reaffirmed the belief that Tamil Nadu has the capability to have such world-class facilities that can make globally competitive products,” he said.
Establishing such a modern car manufacturing plant on a huge budget would usually take at least three to four years. However, the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Ranipet had been established in just 16 months after the foundation was laid for the 470-acre facility in September 2024, he pointed out.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the inauguration of the car manufacturing plant of Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover at Panapakkam village in Ranipet district on February 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast’s first manufacturing plant in India was opened at Thoothukudi in August 2025 after the entire work was completed in a similar time period, he recalled. “It only shows that doing business in Tamil Nadu is much simpler and easier with easy clearance and approval. Tamil Nadu also has better infrastructure, human resources, peaceful environment, and transparency,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government would organise a conversion conclave to showcase around 100 schemes in doing business in an easier and simpler way in the State.
In his special address, N. Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., said the inauguration of the facility marked a milestone in the company’s journey towards accelerating India’s leadership in sustainable and future-ready manufacturing. “We deepen our long-standing partnership with Tamil Nadu, a State that continues to drive industrial excellence, innovation, and inclusive growth,” he said.
The plant will manufacture 2.5 lakh vehicles a year over the next 5-7 years for domestic and international consumers. It is expected to create more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Inside the Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover plant at Panapakkam village in Ranipet on the day of its inauguration on February 9, 2026. | Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy
Earlier, Mr. Stalin visited the plant with Mr. Chandrasekaran. Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa, Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru, Handlooms and Textiles Minister R. Gandhi, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and Ranipet Collector J. U. Chandrakala attended the function. 
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin unveiled the bust-size statue of Ratan Tata on the premises of the Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plant at Panapakkam village in Ranipet on February 9, 2026. Also seen is N. Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Published – February 09, 2026 02:56 pm IST
Tamil Nadu / automobile
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