A consultancy firm would soon be appointed to conduct a feasibility study on the proposal to accord independent status to 6 units of the Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) Limited, including the one at Kalamassery.
The feasibility study is being held as part of taking forward the recommendations made by a high-level committee.
Eyeing the possibility of autonomy, the Kalamaserry unit of the HMT has already started negotiations with Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Thrikkakkara, to supply components for submarines. It is learnt that top officials of the two entities would meet next week to work out the modalities.
NPOL is credited with the development of Modular Data Bus (MDB), Underwater Telephone (UWT), and Sonobuoy. While the MDB is used in the communication of naval ships, UWT is employed for communication between submarines. Sonobuoy is a sonar device supported by parachute for smooth landing in sea surface.
Now talks are on with the Hindustan Machine Tools to provide equipment for manufacturing components of these products.