Tamil Nadu - Chennai

CII wants State to set up aero park in Chennai

CHENNAI: The Confederation of Indian Industry has suggested that the Tamil Nadu Government set up an aero park in and around Chennai.

The CII feels that such a facility could be set up through public-private participation.

In an interaction with The Hindu, Subbu D. Subramanian, chairman of Connect 2008, said the Karnataka government had earmarked 1,000 acres near Bangalore for an aero park. And Andhra Pradesh, too, had allotted 250 acres near Hyderabad.

“Tamil Nadu,” he said, “should take up the opportunity to set up a similar park.” Such a park, he felt, should come up near Chennai. There are already more than 20 aerospace component suppliers in Chennai, catering for Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) and other organisations. While some big groups in India have shown interest in making low-cost aircraft, others like the Tata are keen on setting up component units in India. Hence, the State government must exploit the opportunity and attract the maximum investment by setting up the aerospace park, he said.

Mr. Subramanian said the projections for the next 20 years indicated that India might need a thousand aircraft for civil aviation, involving sums of the order of $80–90 billion. India is thus becoming a significant buyer of transport aircraft in the world.

Mr. Subramanian said the park could attract both Indian and global private and public companies to launch operations to cater for both the domestic and global markets. Indian companies in information technology, manufacturing and services could also set up shops in the park. The CII has urged the Government to provide 4,000 acres for the aero park.

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