Dharwad firm's link with Chandrayaan- 2

DHARWAD: While the entire nation celebrated the successful launch of Chandrayaan-2, Dharwad, too, has a pride in the success. Walchandnagar Industries Limited (WIL), an ISO 9001: 2015 certified Indian company with global presence and diversified business portfolio in Projects, Products and High-tech Manufacturing, had an opportunity of manufacturing pressure gauge for various programmes, including Chandrayaan-2.
Basically, WIL is a Mumbai-based company but has its unit in Dharwad since 1982 when it took over the Sky Watch company, which was manufacturing wall clocks. The pressure gauges are being manufactured in its Dharwad unit located at Attikolla village.
Sharing details with TOI, V Suresh Babu, Head – Instrumentation Business, WIL, Dharwad, told that WIL’s association with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) started in 1973 with manufacturing of motor cases for SLV-3. “We have been actively participating in manufacture of booster motor casings and nozzles for the ISRO space programs commencing from SLV-3, ASLV to PSLV and GSLV Mk II and Mk III programs. Equipment manufactured by WIL, have been successfully used in the launching of ‘ROHINI’, ‘SROSS’, ‘IRS’, ‘G-SAT’ and other satellites. WIL takes pride in being a contributor of key critical equipment in India’s maiden mission to moon “Chandrayaan I” as well as India Mission to Mars “Mangalyaan” and now to Chandrayaan-2” he explained.
Recalling contributions to ISRO, Babu stated WIL has provided other hardware components like Nozzles, Tankages, End Rings etc. Strap-on Boosters for PSLV/GSLV Mk II, Core Boosters for PSLV/GSLV Mk IICore Boosters for GSLV Mk III. “Know-how and skilled manpower to handle Aerospace grade materials such as 15CDV6, High Strength Maraging Steel, Titanium and its alloys, Aluminum alloys are our other capabilities” he claimed.
He further said, “WIL has an understanding with ISRO to supply these gauges till 2021. However, we or ISRO can not reveal that wheather this product is used in Chandrayaan-2 or other programmes. This product is used to measure pressure in satellite or launching vehicle” he added.
Kiran Hiremath, a social activist, commented that Dharwad is already involved in Make-in-India initiative from decades. “It’s pride for every Dharwadian that a local industry is contributing for research and development works in science and technology sector of the nation” he opined.