India’s first gigascale-electric-air-taxi hub to be built in Andhra Pradesh: First drone taxi to be launched in 2 years, Sarala Aviation to invest ₹1300 crore

India’s first gigascale electric air taxi hub will be built in Andhra Pradesh. For this, Andhra Pradesh government has signed an MoU with Sarala Aviation. eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) manufacturing plant will be setup in the state.

This project named Sky Factory will be set up in Anantapur district. Where aircraft like electric air taxi will be built. The company has planned to invest Rs 330 crore in the first phase. The company will start commercial operations by 2029. This step will take India forward in green mobility.

150 acre campus and capacity of 1000 aircraft

This sky factory will be built near Kalyanadurga mandal in Thimmasamaduram, which will be spread over 150 acres. There will be production lines, R&D centres, composite labs and a 2 kilometer runway. Where testing will be done with the certification of DGCA. Rs 330 crore will be spent in the first phase and a total investment of Rs 1300 crore will be made by increasing 350 acres in the second phase.

The facility will house Sarala’s flagship Zero hybrid VTOL aircraft as well as electrical harness systems, landing gear and advanced composite structures. When fully operational, this hub will be able to produce 1000 next-gen aircraft annually. This model is based on the global hubs of California and Munich, which will become an integrated eVTOL cluster. Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) will fast-track the project.

Introduction of Sarala Aviation and eVTOL Technology

Sarala Aviation is a Karnataka-based company started in 2023, whose founders are veterans of the global eVTOL industry. Private equity fund Excel has given it backing. The company is designing a six-seater electric flying taxi, which will reduce commute time in big cities of India. eVTOL stands for Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Aircraft, which runs on batteries. These can do vertical take off, landing and hovering, which are different from traditional planes.

This technology is new in India, but can prove to be a game-changer for green mobility. Sarala’s target is to start commercial flights by 2029 and this hub will give a boost to indigenous development. The eVTOL market is growing rapidly in the world and India can become a global player in it.

The project will create 180 jobs by 2027

The project will create 40 specialized jobs and 140 indirect jobs by 2027. These will provide high-value employment in advanced manufacturing, aerospace innovation and green tech. Andhra Pradesh’s mission is to become the capital of advanced manufacturing and this hub will support sustainable aerial mobility. Thousands of jobs can be created in the long term, because it will be a gigascale facility. The state government will help in making it ecosystem ready, which will boost the local economy.

Sarla’s CTO told the future of India

Rakesh Gaonkar, Co-Founder and CTO of Sarala Aviation, said, ‘With the World’s Biggest Sky Factory, we want to make India the nerve center of the next era of flight. This giga facility will shape the aircraft of the future, create thousands of high-skilled jobs and make India a global force in sustainable aerial mobility.

Our goal is simple that India can design, build, test, fly and operate the world’s most advanced eVTOL systems from an integrated campus. This MoU was signed at the CII Partnership Summit 2025, which highlights industry cooperation.

Drone taxis will start in 2 years

The first drone taxis will be rolled out in Andhra Pradesh within 2 years of the announcement. Sarla’s focus is to make India a global powerhouse in electric aviation. The phased development will create jobs by 2027 and full commercial operations by 2029.

This can connect with initiatives like UDAN scheme, which will increase air connectivity. Globally, the eVTOL market could reach billions by 2030 and this hub will give leadership to India. The state government says that this project is a big step for a sustainable future.