Manmohan's aircraft undergoes overhaul in Hosur

The Indian Air Force aircraft used by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh parked at a private airstrip near Hosur. Photo: N. Bashkaran

A Boeing 737 aircraft bought by the Indian Air Force recently for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tours has been brought here for maintenance.

Two-layer security

Police officers say that a two-layer security cover has been provided for the aircraft parked at the airstrip owned by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited (TAAL) in Belagondapalli village, 13 km from here, in Krishnagiri district.

The outer periphery of the airstrip has been cordoned off by the local police and Tamil Nadu Special Police and the inner ring by the Special Protection Group.

The overhauling work is being done by the Mumbai-based Air Works India Engineering Private Limited at Hangar No.1 of the TAAL facility.

Informed sources have told

The Hindu that this is the first time the Prime Minister's aircraft is being brought to this facility for overhauling.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Bharatiya Janata Party leader M. Venkaiah Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddiyurappa had landed on this airstrip during election campaigns.

The runway is 2.2 km long and even an airbus can land. A district-level official says it is longer than the runways at Mangalore, Salem, Puttaparthy and Coimbatore.