The hi-tech lab on Tata-Kandra Road in Adityapur on Tuesday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

The Adityapur Auto Cluster Limited (AACL), a special purpose vehicle that was formed to develop infrastructure in the industrial hub of neighbouring Seraikela-Kharsawan district, will soon float a tender to procure state-of-the-art equipment for the newly built hi-tech lab.

According to sources, the construction of the lab and a common business centre, which is a part of the Rs 65-crore auto cluster, was completed last week.

AACL is now gearing up to float a Rs 22 crore tender for procuring machines for the Rs42-crore lab, which is ready for inauguration.

“We will meet state industry secretary Himani Pandey in this regard within a couple of days to discuss the nitty-gritty,” said R.K. Sinha, managing director of AACL, talking to The Telegraph.

During the meeting, they will also finalise the name of the chief guest for inaugurating the lab.

Pramod Singh, another senior functionary of the AACL, said the ambitious project would benefit 600-odd auto component manufacturers based in the Adityapur industrial area.

“The lab will provide solutions by designing products according to specifications. Moreover, it will help test the quality of auto components,” he added.

Currently, the ancillary units get their designs and products tested from places like Pune, Chennai and Calcutta, which involve high cost.

Sprawling over 30,000sqft, the double-storeyed and centrally air-conditioned hi-tech lab building entailed an investment of about Rs 12 crore. Machines worth Rs 10 crore have already been procured in the first phase while the second consignment of Rs 20 crore is expected to arrive in the next couple of months.

The auto cluster project, which is the first such initiative in the eastern region, has two other components — an effluent treatment plant and a hazardous waste management facility.

The firm has already received the nod from the Union ministry of forest and environment for the hazardous waste management facility, which will come up on 25 acres in Dugni in Seraikela-kharsawan. The common effluent treatment plant, which is being set up on 12 acres in the industrial area, is expected to be ready by April next year.