The government had proposed, in its new industrial policy (2009-14), of setting up a specialised aerospace park near the new airport across 1,000 acres of land that was acquired under the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board’s (KIADB) land bank creation programme.

Sources from the industry revealed that the process of land allotment has begun with a small firm — which they refused to name getting 50 acres to start proceedings. Confirming this news, Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries Minister, Murugesh R Nirani told Deccan Herald that in this regard, the government has also allotted 100 acres of land to state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). However, he refused to divulge information about the proposed investment or employment to be generated from the park.

To boost exports

“The aerospace park will come up in association with the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI) near the new airport. It is still early days to talk of numbers,” he said. Meanwhile, industry source revealed that the park is being set up to have production-based activities, thereby, meeting demand of the domestic industry and also add up to the exports share. “All efforts will be made to develop required infrastructure facilities and provide need based facilitation for timely development of the proposed park,” a source seeking said.

On how many companies have approached the government and what criteria exists for allotting land, Nirani said “As of now, none of the big firms expect BEL have approached us. We are keen on those firms that have the required expertise and financial capacity to carry out required operations and there will be a thorough review of firms.” While expressing apprehension over Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) approaching the government, as it already has excess land, he expressed hope of attracting interest from firms like NAL among state-owned firms.

He also said that the government will hold the authority of withdrawing the allotment of land and other amenities and facilities, if the firm does not show progress in the stipulated time frame (three years).