India lacks clearcut policy: Scientist

Bangalore, Aug 23 (UNI) Policy limitations are acting as stumbling block for India's stride in the field of aeronautics, renowned aeronautical scientist Dr Roddam Narasimh said today., "India's stride into the field of Aeronautics is hurdled by policy-limited and not technology-limited" he said while speaking on "Aerospace Development: Retrospect and Prospects" at the one-day conference on "Science and Technology. Past, Present and Future" organised by the Karnataka Science and Technology Academy.

Dr Narasimha said though India had made early inroads in the aeronautical sciences sector and made a mark it failed to remain among the top players in the world.

Despite six decades of experience in the field, flawed or delayed clear cut policies in the aviation sector had resulted in the country lagging behind in garnering the benefit it derived due to early stride into the field. "India went ahead with designing and research of the Aircrafts even before anything done on developing bicycles and radios and achieved early success" he said.

Dr Narasimha said that the Indian Civil Aviation has taken a big lead in the last six decades and it could be said the same with regard to the development of Aeronautics. "Eventhough country has won accolodess for the development of Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruva, the much advanced Light Combat Aircraft project was still limping". The LCA was better than the U.S made F16's in all respects but the former was still struggling to come out from prototype stage he said. The other indigenous aircraft projects HANSA and SARAS were also struggling to to make stride in the sky even though hailed as best in terms design, development and performance.

As for as India was concerned a well-developed ecosystem on Aeronautics has been put in place but what was lacking was a clear-cut policy, Dr Narasimha said.

UNI