Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday alloted 20 acres at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) to set up defence equipment manufacturing cluster. Reportedly, the equipment factory will generate 50,000 jobs.
The CM also reviewed Regional Airports Connectivity Scheme in a meeting held at Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai. Fadnavis was chairing the 64th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC). Allotting the land for the manufacturing cluster, he said, “This is a social initiative to offer various social benefits like development of defence ecosystem and hi-end training.”
He added the cluster will generate employment for 50,000 people. Vidarbha Defence Industrial Hub will construct the manufacturing unit at sector 10 in MIHAN. The CM also reviewed progress in Shirdi Greenfield Airport, Purandar, Belora (Amravati), Chandrapur, Solapur, Shivni (Akola), Gondur (Dhule) airports, along with Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). The officials informed that Nanded, Nashik, Jalgaon and Kolhapur airports were getting good response.
“Shirdi International Airport has been getting tremendous response from commuters and Saibaba followers. It was inaugurated on October 1, 2017. During the last 10 months, more than 50,000 fliers have benefittied. It has recorded more than 2,000 sorties,” an MADC official said.
He added, “Considering the huge response during the ongoing centenary year of Sai Baba, there is a need to expand airstrip of existing Shirdi airport. Hence, the CM approved expansion of the airstrip from existing 2,500 metres to 3,200 metres.” “Any commercial aircraft like Boeing 474 need an airstrip length between 2,000 metre and 2,300 metres for take-off and landing. After the expansion of the existing airport, all commercial air carriers will be able to provide direct connectivity to Shirdi,” he added.
Fadnavis also oredred strengthening of Urban Planning Department of MADC and approved filling up of 21 vacancies to ensure smooth functioning of MADC with the help of additional staff.
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