Ahmedabad: Azista Space has laid the foundation stone for India’s ambitious Electro-Optical Payload Factory at Sanand, one of Gujarat’s key industrial hubs. The groundbreaking and foundation-laying ceremony was performed by Science and Technology Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia.

The state-of-the-art facility will be constructed at Plot Nos. K-19 to K-24/1 in the Khoraaj Industrial Estate, Sanand, and is expected to significantly strengthen India’s private-sector participation in the space technology ecosystem.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Arjunbhai Modhwadia said Gujarat is committed to emerging as a national leader in space technology and high-tech manufacturing. He stated that while carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Gujarat is rapidly transforming into a new hub for space technology.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has opened the space sector to private enterprises, enabling landmark initiatives such as the country’s first integrated private satellite manufacturing facility to take shape in Sanand, he said. With the new Space Technology Policy, the state aims to become a major contributor to the space economy while generating large-scale employment opportunities for youth, the minister added.

The minister further said that just as Gujarat has earned global recognition in textiles, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, it will now lead in knowledge-based industries and space manufacturing as well. The Azista Space facility will play a crucial role in advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, with complete satellite design, development and testing to be carried out under one roof using indigenous technology. This, he noted, would significantly strengthen India’s national security and strategic preparedness.

Congratulating the Azista Space team, Modhwadia expressed confidence that a fully indigenous satellite developed at the facility would soon be launched into space, bringing global recognition to Gujarat. He also invited global companies and startups to invest in Gujarat and explore opportunities in the rapidly expanding space sector.

Azista Space Managing Director M. Srinivas Reddy, outlining the company’s vision, said research forms the backbone of the organisation. After contributing to life-saving innovations in the pharmaceutical sector, the company has now entered the domains of space and material science with the same research-driven approach.

He explained that Ahmedabad is considered the heart of satellite payload development, which is why Sanand was chosen for the plant location. Reddy said experts from ISRO and the Space Applications Centre (SAC) have guided the company from its inception, enabling it to progress from concept to execution.

Highlighting the facility’s capabilities, he said the company aims not merely to manufacture but to develop complete indigenous technologies. Complex systems such as silicon carbide mirrors have already been developed domestically.

Reddy added that with ISRO’s guidance and the enthusiasm of the company’s young workforce, Azista Space aims to position India as a strong global player in the space sector. The infrastructure being developed at Sanand is expected to become a game-changer in high-value space manufacturing and strengthen India’s footprint in the global space technology market.

During the foundation ceremony, the minister and dignitaries also carried out tree plantation within the factory premises, conveying a message of environmental sustainability.

Azista Space Director Sunil Indurthi and Chief Scientific Advisor Dr. Vishwanathan Vedam presented a detailed overview of the plant’s technical capabilities and advanced facilities.

Notably, Azista Space Limited has signed MoUs worth over ₹500 crore with the Gujarat government, under which India’s first private-sector satellite manufacturing plant will be developed at Khoraaj, Sanand. The project aims to design and manufacture fully indigenous satellites within the country, with all activities from design to final production conducted under one roof.

The project is expected to significantly strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the space technology sector while creating substantial employment opportunities for experts in electronics, mechanical engineering and remote sensing.

The ceremony was attended by Gujarat State Electronics Mission Mission Director Neha Kumari (IAS), Ahmedabad District Police Chief Om Prakash Jat, senior officials from the space technology sector, and Azista Space executives and employees. DeshGujarat