Nagpur: With Centre as well as the state govt pushing for Nagpur as a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub, three players in the sector have shown interest in taking up land in the special economic zone (SEZ), sources in Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) said.The companies are interested in setting up aircraft or engine MRO depots. The Mihan-SEZ has two MROs operational at present, run by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) and Indamer Aviation. Sources in MADC said in the last six months there have been enquiries from three firms for setting up MRO.The names of the firms have not been revealed as the deal has not been finalised yet, sources added. Considering the increase in enquiries by MRO players, MADC has fixed different rates for land with connectivity to the taxiway.For an investor requiring taxiway connectivity, the rate is Rs1.7 crore per acre. For other land parcels, the rate is Rs1.4 crore. A taxiway is a connection with the runway in the airport through which the aircraft can be brought right at the MROs’ doorstep.The enquiries range from companies engaged in taking up overhaul of aircraft as well as engine maintenance. Even the engine maintenance units have to bring the aircraft to the MRO, for which a taxiway is needed, the source said. Earlier, a leading airline had shown interest in setting up MRO in Mihan-SEZ.MADC, which currently has a 3,450-metre-long runway, plans to extend it further by 2,250 metres considering the interest shown by companies. The consultant appointed for the taxiway expansion is expected to submit the report soon, after which tenders may be called, a source said.MADC is also expecting proposals from the defence aviation companies. Any defence company interested in Mihan would be offered land with a taxiway link, the source said.State releases Rs54 crore for MihanThe state govt has released Rs54 crore towards various expenditure for the Mihan project, ranging from land acquisition, rehabilitation of project-affected persons (PAPs) and other sundry purposes. This is the quarterly tranche released out of the total budgetary allocation of Rs270 crore to be payable to Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) for the financial year 2026-27, said a GR released on Monday.
