The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, gave Kerala government the go-ahead to grant land in Thiruvananthapuram for the establishment of a BrahMos supersonic cruise missile manufacturing unit.
The apex court directed that 180 acres of land owned by the Nettukaltheri open prison in the district will be allotted to BrahMos Aerospace Trivandrum Limited (BATL).
BATL is a wholly owned subsidiary of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), which is a joint venture between DRDO and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The company has developed and supplied a wide range of precision and critical products for ISRO, DRDO, GTRE, HAL and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The company, which operates in a 15.8-acre land in Chackai of Thiruvananthapuram, had sought land in Kerala as part of a relocation and expansion plan.
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“The allotment of land for BATL, which comes under the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is intended for the expansion of BATL’s existing operations, specifically for the establishment of a second manufacturing unit dedicated to advanced missiles and strategic hardware. By providing the land, the State will contribute directly to national security and defence growth,” Kerala had submitted in the court, reported The Hindu.
Following a report submitted by amicus curiae, the apex court bench agreed to the government's proposal to divide 257 acres from the 457-acre campus of the open prison between BATL, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and a National Forensic Science University.
The state government had submitted that the open prison uses only 100 acres. The government said the establishment of a BATL unit will offer Kerala the permanent presence of a Central Armed Police Force, strengthen national security preparedness and provide employment and local development opportunities.
