Naveen urges PM for Defence industry corridor

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi for establishment of a dedicated Defence industry corridor and an aeronautical university in the State.

In a letter to Modi, the CM mentioned that Odisha provides a comprehensive ecosystem and state-of-the-art industrial infrastructure facilities for indigenous design, development and manufacturing in the Defence and aerospace sectors.

Patnaik also cited some key competitive advantages of Odisha in this regard including the presence of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Tata Steel, Hindalco Industries Limited, National Aluminium Company Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aero engine facility at Koraput, Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, DRDO Laboratory at Baleswar and Ordnance Factory at Balangir.

“The State is also in advanced stages of promulgating a dedicated Defence and aerospace manufacturing policy to promote cluster-based development of the industry. In view of these unique advantages in the State, the overall cost of production of Defence and aerospace products would be very clearly competitive,” Patnaik wrote in the letter.

“The Odisha Government will ensure unmatched facilitation support for quick and successful establishment of both the Defence industry corridor and aeronautical university in the State,” the CM’s letter concluded.