Belagavi next defence hub?

Belagavi: After the launch of the ‘Make in India’ initiative by PM Narendra Modi, a group of leaders here have decided to work out steps to implement it in Belagavi city.

Belagavi MPs Suresh Angadi and Prabhakar Kore and several politicians met the central leadership of BJP and placed proposals before Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to bolster industries, particularly those catering to the needs of the defence sector for the past several years in Belagavi.

Belagavi-based Servo Controls Aerospace India Private Limited (SCAIPL) which provided crucial position sensors for the Mars Orbitor Mission (MOM) has taken the lead to implement the ‘Make In India’ initiative in the city.

After meeting Mr  Parrikar in Delhi, Mr Suresh Angadi and Prabhakar Kore announced that the defence minister will visit Belagavi early September to help make the Make In India initiative successful in Belagavi.

Instead of importing spares, attempts will be made by industries in Belagavi to expand their manufacturing base to produce the needed material locally, said Mr Kore adding that industries in Belgavi are capable of manufacturing several spares and sensors needed by the defence sector.

Due to lack of space and facilities, some of the major industries which cater to railways, heavy industries, transport and the shipping industry are unable to manufacture products. In recent years, SCAIPL provided 35 units of position sensors to MOM and had supplied similar sensors to the Chandrayaan Mission as well.