Boeing deal by month-end

The Maharashtra government is expecting to finalise by April end, the Rs450-crore ($100 million) deal for setting up the Maintenance, Repairs and Overhauling (MRO) facility of The Boeing Company in Nagpur.

A senior government official, on condition of anonymity, said, “The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Boeing, Alan Mullaly, is likely to arrive in Mumbai between April 13 and 15. But, the final announcement will be made in Seattle.”

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who, along with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, had taken the initiative to get The Boeing Company to Maharashtra, has again sent senior officials to the US to make a final presentation showcasing Nagpur as the most-suited destination for the company’s facility.

The government has allotted 120 acres of land adjoining the airport and the special economic zone (SEZ) for what will be the first Boeing unit in India.

The Maharashtra government impressed upon the Boeing officials that the state had progressive labour laws. It also pointed out that Nagpur was located at the centre of India, was less prone to natural calamities and was free of water and electricity problems.

The other states vying for the project are Madhya Pradesh (Gwalior)—which is willing to give land free to Boeing—Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala (Kochi).