Maharashtra allots 289 acres to Anil's company

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Friday allotted 289 acres in Mihan SEZ, Nagpur, to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group to set up India’s first defence city. To be known as Dhirubhai Ambani Aerospace Park (DAAP), the project is being touted as the largest greenfield one in the aerospace industry with a capital investment of Rs 6,500 crore, or $1 billion.
The land was allotted to Reliance Aerostructure — the defence arm of Reliance Group — in the presence of its chairman Anil Ambani, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is steering the 'Make in India' campaign, which is encouraging private sector participation. We are deeply committed to defence sector. Our first acquisition was Pipavav. The project at Mihan will be the largest greenfield project not only in India but in South East Asia," said Ambani, lauding the efforts of CM Fadnavis and transport minister Gadkari.
He said, "The long journey for development of Nagpur and Vidarbha region — both Union minister Shri Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra chief minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis are leaders with commitment. We started on June 16, 2015 with first presentation and in less than 10 weeks we got the land. This is a record."
The site in Mihan was selected — after extensive survey of different sites across various states — because of its world-class facilities and infrastructure like Medi city, availability of top-class managers, due to its proximity to IIM, disciplined work culture, airfield and air space for flight tests, proximity to international airport, excellent telecommunications connectivity and social infrastructure, among others.
In DAAP, Reliance Group will set up assembly lines and manufacturing facilities of fixed-wing aircraft, aero structure for commercial transport aircraft, helicopters for both defence and commercial use. DAAP will also develop cluster of SBUs with tier I, II and III supply chain and other sub-assembly lines.