Noted businessman G. P. Birla, who had been unwell for some time with various ailments, passed away late Friday night.

Mr. Birla was 86 years old.

The source said, "He died at his Kolkata residence. He is survived by his wife Nirmala, son C. K. Birla and daughter Lekha Poddar."

G. P. Birla's last rituals will be performed today at the Keoratala crematorium.

G P Birla, the son of late Braj Mohan Birla, was the head of GP-CK Birla group of companies.

The GP-CK Birla group with diversified business processes across four continents has major interest in autos, earth moving equipment and electrical equipment.

The group's manufacturing activities consist of automobiles and parts, engineering goods, construction materials, industrial chemicals as well as paper.

The group companies comprise Orient Paper & Industries Ltd, Hindustan Motors Ltd, Indian Smelting & Refining Co. Ltd, Hyderabad Industries Ltd, B. M. Birla Heart Research Centre, Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Nigeria Engineering Works Ltd, Nigeria, and Pan African Paper Mills (EA) Ltd, Kenya. (With Input from Agencies)