An “Aero Park” on the lines of the ‘IT and knowledge’ Parks, catering to aerospace and aeronautics requirements, is proposed to be established near the Hyderabad International Airport under the aegis of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Small Industries Associations. This would come up in around 500 acres of land with an investment of Rs 300 crore in the next three years to boost the aviation industry and allied sectors. Mr Saraswat said the park would be set up with the public and private partnership (PPP) in which about 50 aerospace manufacturing industries would participate as share holders. It would manufacture spare parts and also provide logistic support to airlines.

Mr. V.L.N. Reddy, President of FAPSIA, said the project was expected to take off in a year’s time and the details would be worked out with various government departments for allotment of 200 acres. Hyderabad had emerged as a major centre in the production of various components and sub-systems required for aerospace projects by more than 60 units, with an annual turnover of around Rs. 150 crores. About 100 units were expected in the proposed park with a total investment of about Rs. 250-300 crores.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy declared the Government’s support to the aero park project after receiving a memorandum on the proposal. Welcoming the need for setting up the park, he said he was convinced that the Government should take the lead in this regard. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the growth rate in all sectors would cross the double-digit mark in the near future and called upon the industry to be part of it. He urged more industries to set up units here.

The proposed Aero Park can be a point of convergence with many International Aerospace Companies including Snecma, Airbus, Safran, Boeing and British Aerospace setting up their operation in India, defence analysts said. The Aero Park will be on the lines of the ”IT Park”, ‘Knowledge Park’, ‘Jewellery Park’ and ‘Garment Parks’ and would cover both aerospace and aeronautic industries. The entrepreneurs are likely to cover high quality mechanical, electrical, electronics, microwave and service areas.

With the new Hyderabad International Airport underway, the AeroPark will not only attract new industries but also be a centre of excellence for ‘AeroSpace’, as it can leverage the SSIs and SMEs around Hyderabad, the analysts said.

Source:
http://www.thehindu.com
http://www.defenceindia.com

Homepage