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PM Modi in Bengaluru; to launch chopper manufacturing unit, India Energy Week

Modi will launch petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol at the event

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the NCC rally at Cariappa Ground in New Delhi | PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the NCC rally at Cariappa Ground in New Delhi | PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Karnataka on Monday for a one-day visit, which will see him launching the India Energy Week in Bengaluru and a greenfield helicopter-production facility of state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tumakuru.

As part of India Energy Week, the Prime Minister will launch petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol, and unveil a solar and conventional energy-powered cooking system.

The India Energy Week (IEW) 2023, being held from February 6 to 8, is aimed to showcase India's rising prowess as an energy transition powerhouse, an official statement said.

"The event will bring together leaders from the traditional and non-traditional energy industry, governments, and academia to discuss the challenges and opportunities that a responsible energy transition presents," it added.

The E20 fuel, a blend of 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, will be launched at 84 retail outlets of Oil Marketing Companies in 11 states and union territories.

Besides, the Prime Minister will also flag off the Green Mobility Rally which will have vehicles running on green energy sources as part of the mission to create public awareness on green fuels.

He will launch uniforms under the 'Unbottled' initiative of IndianOil. Guided by the vision of the Prime Minister to phase out single-use plastic, IndianOil has adopted uniforms for retail customer attendants and LPG delivery personnel made from recycled polyester (rPET) and cotton.

Each set of uniform of IndianOil's customer attendants shall support recycling of around 28 used PET bottles. IndianOil is taking this initiative further through 'Unbottled' - a brand for sustainable garments, launched for merchandise made from recycled polyester.

The Prime Minister will also dedicate a twin-cooktop model of the IndianOil's Indoor Solar Cooking System and flag-off its commercial roll-out.

Chopper plant

Another major project to be unveiled by the Prime Minister is the greenfield helicopter production facility at Tumakuru where light utility helicopters (LUHs) will be manufactured. The factory, billed India's largest at 615 acres, will be an one-stop solution for the country's chopper requirements. 

The plan is to produce over 1,000 helicopters in the range of three to 15 tonnes, with a total business of more than Rs 4 lakh crore over a period of 20 years. The facility will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as light combat helicopters (LCHs) and Indian multirole helicopters (IMRHs). It will also be used for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of LCHs, LUHs, civil advanced light helicopters (ALHs) and IMRHs in the future, the officials said.

"In yet another step towards 'Aatmanirbharta' in defence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation a helicopter factory of the HAL in Tumakuru, Karnataka on February 6," the defence ministry said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior officials of the ministry will attend the ceremony. The foundation stone of the facility was laid by the prime minister in 2016.

(With inputs from PTI) 

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