Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) India and Vittal Innovation City (VIC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-promote CAPA-VIC Aerospace City, a high-technology aviation manufacturing, research and knowledge park in Bangalore.
Spread over an area of 750-acre, the aerospace park will form one of the industry clusters at VIC which is located around 50 minutes from Bangalore International Airport. The site has been acquired by Global Emerging Markets, a $3.4 billion alternative investment group. VIC, promoted by EMPI Innovation Parks is focusing on aerospace, defence and electronics, and integrating industry, design, research and education, according to a company release.
``India's ability to deliver high quality research and manufacturing in various industries at relatively lower cost is a unique and valuable proposition. By transferring these strengths to the aerospace sector, there exists the potential to position India as a global centre for excellence. We are very excited to be supporting this landmark initiative,’’ Peter Harbison, executive chairman, CAPA-Centre for Aviation stated.
Technical pre-feasibility studies for the development of a 3.2km runway, which would facilitate test flights for aerospace manufacturers, enable aircraft to be flown in for maintenance, repair and overhaul and allow for the development of a world-class flying school, have been already done. The initiative is led by N. Vittal, chairman, VIC, and former Secretary, Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology. The advisory board is headed by Narayana Murthy, chairman Emeritus, Infosys Technologies, and includes Nandan Nilekani, chairman, Unique Identification Authority; and Ajai Chowdhry, founder and chairman, HCL Infosystems.
