Chennai: Work on the proposed multi-crore Chennai Aero Park project could begin this year, with land being identified for the purpose, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) officials said here on Saturday.
“We have come down to two options. Land has been identified near Chennai and Hosur. The project will come up in either of these locations. We will be able to begin the acquisition process this year,” C K Ranganathan, chairman, CII Tamil Nadu State Council, said. According to him, the state government would decide on the final location after the polls. 
“The project requires around 4,000 acres of land. We will begin acquiring land in small portions and then gradually take over more land around the area. It is important to first start the project this year,” he said. The project is expected to attract investments worth Rs 45,000 crore. The project aims to create about one lakh jobs, directly and indirectly.
The aero park was envisioned to meet the growing demand for civil and military aircraft and is intended to be the largest integrated aerospace ecosystem in the world. It would also enable global players to design, manufacture and maintain all types of aircraft.
On the power situation in Tamil Nadu, Ranganathan said that CII had recommended to the state government to do away with the 40% power cut that was currently being effected. “The government has in principle agreed to do away with power cuts during the night shifts. But an official announcement is likely to be made only after the elections, as the model code of conduct is in place,” he said. Ranganathan added that by the end of the month, the Krishna Godavari basin in Andhra Pradesh would start generating 2,000 MW of power. “Of this, they will be able to give us about 500-750 MW of power,” he said.
C R Swaminathan, chairman, CII-Southern Region, added that with the windy season about to begin in May, the state would have access to wind power as well. “We have also urged the government to buy 1,000 MW of diesel-based power and about 750 MW of gasbased power,” Swaminathan said.
– Times of India