ARAI officials visit site in Mandya to set up proposed testing centre

A team of officials from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) inspected the land identified by the State government near Basaralu in Mandya district for setting up the proposed ARAI Testing Centre.

The team comprising Senior Deputy Director V.A. Pankhawala, General Manager Shamasundara and Engineer Girish Tanawade, along with officials from the Revenue Department in Mandya, inspected the land near Maddighatta and Heggadatihalli villages close to Basaralu on Monday.

After Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy urged the State government to identify land for the proposed ARAI Testing Centre, the government had informed that around 110 acres of government land was available near the two villages.

The ARAI team carried out a detailed inspection of the land and collected information related to the site from the Revenue Department officials.

“The officials examined whether the land would be suitable for establishing the testing centre. They gathered information from the officials regarding the nature of land, road connectivity, availability of water and electricity and other infrastructure facilities,” said a statement issued by the office of Mr. Kumaraswamy.

After the team submits its report on the suitability of the land, a separate team of technical experts will conduct further inspection of the site to ascertain its feasibility.

Meanwhile, the ARAI team, after inspecting the land, met Deputy Commissioner of Mandya Kumar and held discussions on the preliminary requirements and the type of land they were looking for establishing the testing centre.

Speaking to reporters, Dr. Kumar said the ARAI had conducted a preliminary inspection of the land near Basaralu. However, a confirmation whether the site was feasible for establishing the testing centre was yet to be given.

The three-member team that inspected the land in Mandya district was expected to submit its report in 20 days after which a technical team would visit the land for further evaluation.

It may be mentioned here that Mr. Kumaraswamy had assured the people of Mandya that an ARAI Testing Centre under the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries would be established in the district.

A statement from his office said an initial investment of ₹500 crore is planned for the project, with another ₹500 crore to be invested in later phases. The project is expected to not only boost the development of Mandya but also strengthen the growth of the automobile sector in Karnataka, the Minister said.