Multinationals start booking space at aerospace park near Chennai

Leading French, Australian and multinational joint ventures in manufacturing and services have evinced interest in the aerospace park planned on the outskirts of Chennai. Land allocation at the 250-acre facility has commenced. According to sources, at a review meeting, Tamil Nadu Government officials have assured the participants of expediting the project planned at Sriperumbudur, an industrial suburb to the west of Chennai.

Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation will soon start setting up common infrastructure facilities at the park. Among possible investors are Safran, an aircraft engine manufacturer, of France; Ferra Aerospace, an Australian company; and BAE-HAL Aerospace, a joint venture between BAE Systems and Hindustan Aeronautics.

Land has also been allotted in principle to Balaa Har-Conn Aerospace Services, an Indo-US joint venture between Balaa Works and Har-Conn of the US, which is into metal finishing processes. Domestic auto component companies have also announced plans to invest in the park – Ucal Fuel Systems will take up 5 acres; KUN Aerospace Private Ltd is also looking for space. Two manufacturers of bellows including Metallic Bellows (India), Bhastrik Mechanical Labs have also been allotted land in principle, the sources said. VINMN Engineering Ltd, promoted by technocrats will take about 40 acres. Sources said the Government hopes to line up investment plans to be able to sign agreements at the global investors meet next year, hoping to draw 30-40 companies to the location.

The State Government had plans to develop the aerospace park in multiple phases and multiple locations. Aerospace parks in other States are often linked to modern airports. But with the airport project delayed, the State Government hopes to expedite the aerospace park. By December, hard selling to investors will start, the sources said.

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