Rs 100 crores will be invested by Inox in east India

After putting up 24 multiplex screens across cities like Vadodara, Kolkata, Mumbai and Goa in the last 6 yrs, the company has been silently signing up properties in Burdwan Rajarhat, Panditya Road, Haldia, Howrah, Jessore Road Asansol and even Siliguri to throw open multiplexes.

The total investment is estimated to be over one hundred crores rupees. The move, which is part of the company’s overall plans to scale up its presence across the country, is expected to shore up the group’s overall business from the eastern sector.

Alok Tandon, COO, Inox Leisure, said, “Kolkata and eastern India as a whole is an integral part of the company’s strategy. Going forward, we will have at least 18 multiplexes with 67 screens from just five multiplexes in this part of the country.”

“The future appears to have more in store. Following the hub and spoke model, Inox is planning more multiplexes in multiple locations. These will include cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Goa, Mangalore and newer hubs across Navi Mumbai.” Tandon added.

Outlining the corporate strategy, Tandon said the company would be spreading out across three-four fresh locations every year for the next two-three years. By 2010, the company intends to have at least 68-70 multiplexes with some 260 screens. Each screen, on an average, will find an investment of Rs 2-2.5 crores being ploughed in. The investments cover aspects like projection and concessionaire equipment, interiors flooring and false ceiling.

The company is looking at all options to give shape to its expansion programme. “If we get land at attractive price and the financial are viable, we may purchase the property and develop it ourselves or go for lease. We are also open to more acquisitions in the near future if the opportunity comes,” he added.

Sometime ago, the company had acquired Calcutta Cine Pvt Ltd (CCPL), a joint venture between Bengal Ambuja Group & its associates and Consolidated Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

Meanwhile, Inox Leisure board will meet on June 09, to consider recommendation of dividend, for the financial year ended on March 31, 2008.