Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday put his seal of approval on the multi-modal international passenger and cargo hub in Nagpur and said Boeing would set up a maintenance and repair facility in Nagpur itself.
"The Civil Aviation Ministry has assured me that they will work in co-operation with and support all efforts of the government of Maharashtra to develop the airport, including the transfer of any assets to the State government," Singh told reporters here on the second day of his tour of the Vidarbha region.
Putting at rest speculation about aircraft major Boeing shifting its proposed Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in the city, Singh said Boeing is setting up a maintenance facility in Nagpur.
Singh said Nagpur has an airport which is centrally located and has the potential to become a transport hub. It has already been made an international airport.
The cargo hub project was awaiting transfer of the city's international airport to Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC).
Union Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Vilas Muttemwar had met the Prime Minister early this week and urged him to look into the transfer of the airport.
Singh said irrigation is the pressing need of the region adding the Indira Sagar Dam Gosh Khurd project would be provided all necessary assistance from the Centre for speedy completion.
The foundation stone of the project was laid by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Singh asked the Maharashtra government to utilize opportunities to develop Nagpur through the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM).
"If Nagpur develops rapidly, I am confident that this will improve the economic prospects of Vidarbha as a whole," he observed.
Singh on Saturday skirted a direct reply on creation of smaller states including Vidarbha.
"I am on a limited mission, to know the plight of farmers of the Vidarbha region and this not the proper time to discuss Vidarbha statehood," he said.
Later talking to reporters, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said "cargo will certainly come to the city".
India is to get Boeing 787 training centres and 787 simulators and related equipment from Thales.These include full-flight and flat-panel simulators, desktop simulation systems and door trainers.
Boeing has agreed to set up four full-flight simulators in India.
Mumbai, Aug 29: Boeing Co is expected sign a memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra government today to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility near Nagpur, as part of the US aerospace firm's India commitments.
"The agreement will be signed tomorrow with Boeing," an informed source said.
Boeing's proposed MRO facility costing 100 million dollars will be set up near Nagpur, where the government wants to develop its cargo hub.
The company had received proposals from six Indian states, including West Bengal and Karnataka, for the facility.
While announcing its largest ever deal for purchase of 68 aircraft with Air India, Boeing had said that it would set up the MRO facility in the country, besides offset deal worth Rs 8,500 crore, enabling the Indian firms to participate in aircraft development programme.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, during an MoU signing ceremony with Bajaj Auto earlier yesterday, indicated that the state would be signing "another" pact today.
Sorry abt the delay in the news but this is the most authentic information
Boeing Names Nagpur as Site of MRO Facility in India.
MUMBAI, India, Aug. 29, 2006 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today named Nagpur city, located in the State of Maharashtra in central India, as the location for its planned regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.
"We believe that Nagpur will be an excellent location for the Boeing MRO facility because of the tremendous investment being made in the area by both government and private companies," said Dinesh Keskar, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Boeing is committed to helping strengthen India's air transport infrastructure by investing up to $100 million in this MRO facility."
Boeing agreed to establish an MRO facility and provide training as part of a 68-airplane order placed by Air India in December 2005. It is the largest commercial airplane order in India's civil aviation history, and it includes a combination of 777s, 787s and 737s that the operator will use for renewal and expansion of its all-Boeing fleet.
Boeing is working with various stakeholders in India to determine appropriate key partners for the MRO service. The Nagpur facility will provide a convenient, centralized location for India-based airlines to schedule routine maintenance and overhaul work, and to have repairs completed.
"Boeing has collaborated with India for more than 60 years, and we are excited to take part in the amazing future that lies ahead for Indian aviation," said Keskar.
Strong economic growth, increased market liberalization, airport privatization, and travel to and within the country are fueling a bright outlook for aviation in India. Boeing's latest forecast suggests that India will need 856 airplanes worth $72.6 billion in the next 20 years to meet the air travel demand.