Air India and Tata Advanced Systems will invest Rs 2300 crore in Bengaluru, Karnataka, for three projects, including MRO. Despite a letter from Nitin Gadkari to Tata Sons about investing in MIHAN, Bengaluru was chosen. Questions arise about companies’ disinterest in MIHAN despite its central location.
Nagpur boasts the only SEZ connected to an airport, with a taxiway ready to link the airport to the MRO. However, safety standards neglect hinders progress, as the MRO taxiway isn’t yet part of the operational area, requiring planes to be towed, taking 6 hours for security arrangements. The potential for faster power-taxing could reduce this to just 15 minutes.
Companies, including the prominent French firm Safran Aircraft Engine, have opted for other states over Mihan, with Safran exploring options in Hyderabad. Recently, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the importance of domestic aircraft maintenance during the inauguration of AAR-Indamer in MIHAN-SEZ. Streamlining processes and ensuring adherence to safety standards could potentially attract more companies to invest in Mihan’s promising aerospace sector.