PALAKKAD: BEML Limited, a leading multitechnological and multilocation company under the Ministry of Defense, is setting up its 4th manufacturing complex at Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Limited (KINFRA) Integrated Industrial Area at Kanjikkode here. This is the fourth major defense-related unit coming up in the state after former Chief Minister A.K. Antony took over as defense minister of the country. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan laid the foundation for the unit in his presence last week.
The new complex of BEML here is a dedicated center for manufacturing defense equipments including military wagons, floating bridges, parts and aggregates for rail and metro cars. The complex will also be an exclusive base for the manufacture of indigenously designed and developed aluminum and stainless steel 100-ton freight wagons and other products.
The company has three overseas offices in China, Malaysia and Brazil and exports its products to over 52 countries. It has an order book of over Rs.40 billion as of date, which is set for further increase.
The first phase of the unit is to start production in 24 months and the second is to be taken up after considering the facilities available and the industrial climate in the area. The Rs.2.66 billion first phase of the project is coming up on a land of 400 acres. The KINFRA has promised to provide another 600 acres for the second phase development of the project.
Since Antony became the defense minister in 2005, he has sanctioned for the state new units of defense units like the Brahmos Aero Space, HAL Bangalore and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). He said Kerala would be getting more projects under the Defense Ministry.
“There can be differences of opinion in politics but when it comes to development, all should stand united,” Antony said while addressing the gathering at the function. “Kerala’s slogan should be relentless struggle in politics and united stand on development. All these projects are materializing because of this attitude.”
The defense minister said the BEML project was finalized in a short span of time and it would start production in 18 months as against the earlier target of 24 months. This unit will also bring 15 to 20 ancillary units to Kanjikkode.
Achuthanandan, who agreed that Kerala had been getting federal consideration in matters of new projects in the last couple of years, said Kerala lagged behind in industrial growth only because federal government had not been making more investments in the state.
“The partisan attitude has, however, been changing and more investments are coming to the state,” he said.
