Helicopter Unit To be Set Up in Hyderabad

A Rs.1,000-crore helicopter manufacturing unit is being set up by Tata Advanced Systems in the Aerospace SEZ, near the Hyderabad International Airport, Shamshabad, here. The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has allotted 50 acres for setting up the unit and the lease deed was presented by APIIC's Chairman and Managing Director B.P. Acharya to the company's CEO, Devender Kumar, in the presence of Major Industries Minister K. Lakshminarayana here on Monday. Principal Secretary, Industries, Sam Bob was also present. According to an official release, manufacturing is likely to commence by June 2010 in view of the export orders already available. The project to be taken up in phases by the company is expected to provide employment to at least 1,000 technical personnel. Mr. Acharya said the company proposed to manufacture large helicopters for commercial transport. Without giving further details, he said Tatas would be manufacturing the choppers on behalf of a U.S.-based company. In response to the invitation by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Chairman of Tata Group, Ratan Tata, mentioned about his plan to establish the unit and the same was announced by Dr. Reddy during the India Aviation show held in October last. Source: Hindu.com