India can produce small passenger jets by 2020, said former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. For this, India needs to make optimum use of its technology in the aero-space sector.
Kalam, popularly called the father of India's missle programme, was addressing a gathering of students at Amity University in Nodia recently.
"India has to work for 70-seater aircraft. It should be so designed that with only change in fuselage length it could vary the passenger capacity to 50 or 90.
"With the technology available, production of 70-seater passenger aircraft before 2020 is possible. This will lead to a business volume of $15
billion," Dr Kalam said.
"India has to work for low-cost access to space, bringing the cost per kg from $20,000 per orbital kg at present to $2,000. This will lead India to take part in many mass missions for Earth applications and interplanetary exploration for industrial base and second habitat."
The former Indian president also mentioned the importance of scientific magnanimity to focus on the young achievers.
"This scientific magnanimity will motivate the scientific community, nurture team spirit and draw the youth towards science."
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