Aircraft project under Make In India yet to take off

Mumbai: It has been six months since nothing has been heard further after the Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s promise of 157 acres of land to Captain Amol Yadav to help him set up his factory for the commercial production of an aircraft developed by him — TAC 003 — which was displayed in the Make In India exhibition. Mr Fadnavis, on August 30, 2016, had promised Mr Yadav a piece of land in Palghar.

While the state has already finalised a plot at Saphale railway station, on western railway near Palghar city, and the district collector has cleared the plot, the file is now stuck with the revenue department. Government sources admitting to the delay said it is caused due to procedural issues.

Mr Yadav, who is employed as senior commander with Jet Airways, has been constantly following with the CMO. Mr Yadav, while speaking to The Asian Age said, “Maharashtra is my preferred state for setting up the factory as I want to see first Indian made aircraft flied in the sky of Maharashtra before other states. I request Devendraji to expedite the process of land allotment.”

Captain Amol Yadav has been building the aircraft since the last, and almost, 18 years all by himself. A six-seater, with lowest possible price of production, maintenance, as well as travelling, was a talking point in ‘Make in India’ exhibition for being a possible game changer for the Indian aviation sector. Mr Fadnavis, along with his officers, had visited Mr Yadav’s stall, following which the promise was made.

Officer on special duty from the CMO who is looking at this project, Mr Kaustubh Dhavase has denied the delay in the allotment. He said, “The process is in its final stage. I am constantly in touch with him (Mr Yadav). There are procedural things that need to be completed. Now there will be one final presentation before the CM in which officers from DGCA will also be present.”

He added that issue of allotment of land will go to cabinet for final clearance.”