VALPOI: The helicopter engine maintenance plant at Honda in Sattari that was inaugurated last October by then defence minister Manohar Parrikar, is yet to commence operation.

The helicopter engine maintenance plant is a joint venture of HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines, France. The joint venture will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 2B2 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters.

At the inaugural function, Parrikar had said that setting up the plant was a step towards creating employment opportunities with a corresponding boost to the economy in Goa.