The world of aviation is a massive contributor to the tourism revenue of a state. Bangalore, especially, is a tourist hotspot. If you are looking to travel to Bangalore in the near future, you may be pleasantly surprised by a new technology that has been circulating around the city. It was a proud moment for us when PM Narendra Modi introduced the Make In India program. The initiative promised to open up many different in-house development ventures and to become dominant support to the economy of India. Another gem coming from it is NAL Saras, the first indigenous transport plane handcrafted in India. The project which was put under the folds in 2016 has now made two successful test flights this year.
The Saras is a multipurpose light transport, jointly designed and manufactured by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The 7000-kg aircraft is expected to cost around INR 40 crore which is much less than what India used to pay – INR 60 crore. As of now, the project has been unfurled once again at the base camp of NAL in Bengaluru and successfully made two test flights.
Although, the project first came to light in 1991 but was set aside due to a lack of governmental approvals. After registering enough approvals from the government, the project was again stopped in 2009 due to failure during the test flight which supposedly caused two pilots’ deaths. But the Make in India program gave a new chance to this highly proposed project and the work resumed once again in 2016.
The Saras is specifically designed to carry a maximum of 19 passengers and to work efficiently in hot temperatures and high altitudes. It is a multi-purpose aircraft suitable for an ambulance, border patrol, aerial search, survey, disaster management, coast guard, and other community services. As per Union Science and Research Minister Harsh Vardhan, the aircraft is also set to serve the general commuters under the Udaan scheme.
As per production credentials, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been appointed as the production agency for all the military versions of the aircraft. The military version is supposed to manufacture 120to 140 aircraft for Indian Air Force (IAF) while the civil version production can be handed over to private companies.
A tightened look over the specifics released by NAL, the aircraft is a much better version than the other aircrafts available in the market. All the international market aircraft like Beechcraft 19000D, Dornier-228 and Embraer EMB 110 are generally using the 1970s technology. They are also not very susceptible as they run on higher fuel consumption and often give lower speed rates. Whereas, the new upgraded version of Saras is supposed to consume less fuel and have a higher speed rate with less cabin noise.
With this project, India not only speed rocketed the Make in India but is also set to give major competition in the global market. This project will be a big boost to connecting remote places in India by air. This will ensure inclusive development, especially in North East India, which generally lacks connectivity by major airlines.
Delhi to Bangalore Flights Schedule can be checked online. Having a broad idea of the different flight schedules can help you plan your journey effectively.