Narendra Modi to inaugurate new unit of HAL in Tumakuru on Feb 6

Tumakuru: Tumakuru , 70 kilometers from state capital readied up for action ahead of the state tour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi . On February 6, the Prime Minister would arrive at the inauguration of the HAL helicopter unit being built in Tumakuru.

The saffron brigade determined to strengthen the BJP in Old Mysuru, is bringing Modi and starting the second phase of campaigning. On that day, Modi will inaugurate the newly constructed helicopter unit (HAL Helicopter Manufacturing Unit) near Bider Kawal near Nittoor in Gubbi taluk. Modi laid foundation stone for this unit in December 2016 and it is all set to manufacture LUHs and eventually the Russian Kamov-226 (Ka-226) helicopters.

As part of the phase-1 operations, capacity to build 30 LUHs per year has been created and this can be upgraded to 60 choppers per annum. So far as the Ka-226 goes, HAL awaiting clearance from the MoD (ministry of Defence). Land has been earmarked for this within the Tumakuru plant, The Ka-226 will be produced in Tumakuru by a joint venture between HAL and Russian Helicopters. As per an inter-governmental agreement between New Delhi and Moscow, the deal is for 200 helicopters — 135 for the Indian army and 65 for IAF — and will involve some transfer of technology too.

As per MoD the initial operational clearance (IOC) for LUH has been granted and HAL is expected to produce 12 limited series production (LSP) helicopters, six each for the army and IAF, by 2023-24. The first four are expected to be completed by the end of this fiscal, while the other eight will be built in the next one, which is expected to be followed by series production aircraft. While HAL is hopeful of eventually bagging an order for 180+ LUHs, it is yet in the process.

Prime Minister Modi will arrive at the HAL helipad at 3 pm that day. After that, he will participate in the program which will start from 3:15 and launch the Jal Jeevan Mission project along with the inauguration of the HAL unit. The unit would manufacturing the weapons and vehicles required for the army entirely at home to emphasize on Make in India. In 2018, the helicopter had flown on a trial basis. This unit should have been commissioned earlier. But due to covid the inauguration was delayed.

The unit established at an estimated cost of Rs 5000 crore would manufacture five to six seater copters which will be used by the Army and Air Force. A total of 5,000 people will get employment through this unit.. Out of the 614- acre area of the HAL unit, which is depicted as the dream of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP government, 529 acre area is the construction of helicopter spare part manufacturing and assembling building units. This unit includes runway, hospital, administrative department and other offices. Analysis has heard that the establishment of this unit will create a new milestone for Tumkur district.

The unit has the capacity to manufacture 75 helicopters every year. , the cost of each helicopter would be around 30 crore . The total turnover of the unit would be Rs 2 thousand crores every year.

In the wake of Modi's arrival, the route of the Bangalore Honnavar National Highway has been changed. On February 6, vehicles going from Tipaturu to Shimoga will be diverted via Nittoor, T.B. Cross, Thiruvekere via K. B. Cross. Similarly, vehicles going from Shimoga, Thipatoo to Bangalore can also pass through Nittoor via KB Cross, Thuruvekere, TB Cross.

Around one lakh people are expected to attend this event. Lunch have been arranged for all the public. Public attending the event cannot bring any items including water bottle, clothes etc. About 2.5 thousand policemen have been deployed for security.