Nagpur:
The Multi Modal International Passenger and Cargo Hub (MIHAN) in Nagpur will soon have a satellite manufacturing unit.
The unit will be set up at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore by CANEUS, a Canada-based company owned by an NRI Milind Pimprikar.
An MoU in this regard was signed in the presence of Union Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari and Nagpur guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule by Managing Director of Mihan, Vishwas Patil and Mr Pimprikar, yesterday.
On the occasion, Mr Gadkari said Mr Pimprikar was earlier planning to set up the unit in Bengaluru but was later persuaded to select Nagpur during the just-concluded 'Make In India Week' in Mumbai.
"Fifty acres of land has been provided in Mihan for the unit and once completed, it will provide employment to around 400 to 500 persons," Mr Gadkari said.
He said Mr Pimprikar has been supplying satellites for various projects like Railways, agriculture, road development etc in the country and also works with ISRO's MRO centre.
Mr Pimprikar said his company uses micro and nano technology to produce satellites as per customers' demand.
"We provide affordable satellites. Specific satellites are needed as per usage at departments like Railways traffic management, shipping etc. Satellites are needed in every field including agriculture and we strive to fill that need," he told reporters in an informal meet in Nagpur.
Mr Pimprikar said bigger satellites costs around about USD 300 to 400 million but his company provides them at lower rates.
"The aircraft of the future will be wireless and we have worked on wireless technology for NASA. This technology can be used in Nagpur in future," he said.
CANEUS founder and chairman, Mr Pimprikar completed his education in Nandur of Vidarbha region and later studied engineering from Pune. He shifted to Canada 35 years ago and founded CANEUS, which is now active in 23 countries.