Work on Boeing MRO to begin in September: Patel

Nagpur, July 10 (UNI) Work on the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub of aviation major Boeing Inc, proposed to be set up in the city, will begin in September next, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel said here today.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Patel said the foundation stone laying ceremony of the project was likely to be held in September this year. Boeing had paid the money for the 75 acres of land that it needed for setting up the facility, he said.

Public sector carrier Air India had decided to be an equity partner in Boeing's MRO venture, Mr Patel said. The aviation company was now looking for a third equity partner for the venture, which was being set up in the special economic zone (S0EZ), part of the ambitious Multi-Modal International Air Passenger and Cargo Hub at Nagpur (MIHAN) project in the city, he said.

Mr Patel was here to attend the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Maharashtra Airport Development Company Ltd (MADC) and Deccan Cargo Pvt Ltd for setting up cargo operations in the city.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was also present at the signing ceremony, said that a rehabilitation package was being worked out for the residents of Shivangaon, on the outskirts of the city, where land was under acquisition for the MIHAN project.

The package would include monetary compensation as well as transfer of development rights (TDR), he said, adding that it would be announced soon. The residents of the area are demanding higher compensation for the land being acquired.

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