'Aviation hub: No better site than Rajgurunagar'

Pune: The strategic importance of having an international aviation hub, including an airport city and a maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) facility, at Rajgurunagar near Chakan, cannot be overlooked in view of the vast business and economic potential on offer.
According to Air Marshal (Retd) S Ramdas, member of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) civil aviation committee, an international hub of this scale would not only serve Pune city but entire western India.
“If one takes a look at the air connectivity network between Europe, Asia and Australia and the number of aircraft flying over India, it may be noted that there is no major MRO facility between Sharjah, Dubai on one side and Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok on the other side, to cater to long-haul aircraft,” said Ramdas, also a former chairman and managing director of the erstwhile Indian Airlines.
“An MRO at Rajgurunagar would not only boost economy but also generate huge employment opportunities,” he said, and added, “No other existing airport in the state (Mumbai and Nagpur included) have the kind of potential for an international hub as Rajgurunagar offers.”
Referring to land acquisition issues plaguing the Rajgurunagar project, Ramdas said the same can be resolved in a humane way provided there is political will to work out a solution.
Both Ramdas and MCCIA civil aviation panel chief S K Jain said that the proposed airport project need not be viewed as a facility serving only the elite but, be treated as the people’s project considering the massive economic and employment gains.
04/06/10 Times of India

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jun 2010, New Jun 2010