Preliminary study underway on helicopter unit in Goa: Parrikar

 A preliminary assessment by HAL and consultation with his ministry will decide on Goa's feasibility for setting up a helicopter manufacturing unit, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday.

Panaji: A preliminary assessment by HAL and consultation with his ministry will decide on Goa's feasibility for setting up a helicopter manufacturing unit, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday.

Parrikar was speaking to reporters during a two-day visit to the state.

"I have told them to conduct a study and give a preliminary report...They will decide whether it will be a helicopter manufacturing unit or a repair and overhauling facility or some component integration, and get back to me," Parrikar said.

Soon after being appointed as defence minister, Parrikar had asked Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to examine if Goa could be made a hub for manufacturing helicopters.

Parrikar now said that he had asked HAL, a government of India undertaking, to submit the preliminary report as soon as possible, but also added that setting up of such a facility could not happen overnight.

"I will speed it up. But such things don't happen overnight..." Parrikar said.

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.